Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 1

Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity

Devanagari script

श्रीनारद उवाच ब्रह्मचारी गुरुकुले वसन्दान्तो गुरोर्हितम् । आचरन्दासवन्नीचो गुरौ सुद‍ृढसौहृद: ॥ १ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-nārada uvāca brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānto guror hitam ācaran dāsavan nīco gurau sudṛḍha-sauhṛdaḥ

Translation

Nārada Muni said: A student should practice completely controlling his senses. He should be submissive and should have an attitude of firm friendship for the spiritual master. With a great vow, the brahmacārī should live at the gurukula, only for the benefit of the guru.

Synonyms

• श्री-नारदः: the venerable Nārada
• श्री-नारदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (honorific epithet): श्रीमान् नारदः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ब्रह्मचारी: a celibate student
• ब्रह्मचारी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• गुरुकुले: in the teacher's household
• गुरुकुले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: गुरोः कुलम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case, locative), एकवचन

• वसन्: dwelling
• वसन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वस् (धातु) + शतृ (प्रत्यय) / वसन्त् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकर्तरि कृदन्त (present active participle, शतृ); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (agreeing with ब्रह्मचारी)

• दान्तः: self-controlled
• दान्तः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दम् (धातु) + क्त / दान्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle in sense 'tamed'); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• गुरोः: of the teacher
• गुरोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन

• हितम्: welfare / what is beneficial
• हितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• आचरन्: practicing / performing
• आचरन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + चर् (धातु) + शतृ (प्रत्यय) / आचरन्त् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: वर्तमानकर्तरि कृदन्त (present active participle, शतृ); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (agreeing with ब्रह्मचारी)

• दासवत्: like a servant
• दासवत्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दास (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोग; उपमानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• नीचः: humble
• नीचः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नीच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (humble)

• गुरौ: towards/in the teacher (as locus of service)
• गुरौ: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (locative), एकवचन

• सुदृढसौहृदः: having very firm goodwill/affection
• सुदृढसौहृदः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + दृढ (प्रातिपदिक) + सौहृद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: सुदृढं सौहृदम् यस्य सः; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Narada Muni
• Guru (spiritual master)
• Brahmacari

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the duties of a brahmacari?

This verse says a brahmacārī should live in the guru’s āśrama, remain disciplined and self-controlled, and dedicate his actions to the guru’s welfare through humble service.

Why does Narada Muni emphasize serving the guru like a servant?

Because genuine learning in the Bhāgavatam tradition is rooted in humility and obedience; such service purifies the student and makes spiritual knowledge and bhakti receptive within the heart.

How can guru-seva and humility be practiced in modern life?

By sincerely following one’s teacher’s instructions, offering practical help, avoiding ego in learning, and making one’s study and skills serve spiritual growth rather than prestige.