Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 4

Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity

Devanagari script

मेखलाजिनवासांसि जटादण्डकमण्डलून् । बिभृयादुपवीतं च दर्भपाणिर्यथोदितम् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

mekhalājina-vāsāṁsi jaṭā-daṇḍa-kamaṇḍalūn bibhṛyād upavītaṁ ca darbha-pāṇir yathoditam

Translation

Carrying pure kuśa grass in his hand, the brahmacārī should dress regularly with a belt of straw and with deerskin garments. He should wear matted hair, carry a rod and waterpot and be decorated with a sacred thread, as recommended in the śāstras.

Synonyms

• मेखला: girdle
• मेखला: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेखला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative, Singular (समाहार-गणनायां सूची)

• अजिन: deerskin
• अजिन: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अजिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Singular (सूची)

• वासांसि: garments
• वासांसि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Plural

• जटा: matted hair
• जटा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Feminine, Accusative, Singular (सूची)

• दण्ड: staff
• दण्ड: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular (सूची)

• कमण्डलून्: water-pots
• कमण्डलून्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमण्डलु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• बिभृयात्: should bear / should wear
• बिभृयात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; Optative, 3rd person, Singular

• उपवीतम्: sacred thread
• उपवीतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

• दर्भ: darbha grass
• दर्भ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular (समासाङ्ग)

• पाणिः: hand (holder)
• पाणिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• यथोदितम्: as prescribed
• यथोदितम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उदित (प्रातिपदिक; वद्/उद्-इ)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; indeclinable compound meaning 'as stated'

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the dress and symbols of a brahmacārī?

In Canto 7, Chapter 12, this verse lists the traditional brahmacārī emblems—belt, prescribed garments, matted hair, staff, waterpot, sacred thread, and holding kuśa grass—showing a life of discipline and scriptural obedience.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe items like daṇḍa and kamaṇḍalu in Bhagavatam 7.12?

He is outlining varṇāśrama standards—especially brahmacarya—so that spiritual training is supported by regulated conduct, simplicity, and constant remembrance of dharma.

How can brahmacarya principles from Bhagavatam 7.12.4 be applied in modern life?

Adopt the essence: simplicity, self-control, daily spiritual routine, and visible commitments that reinforce good habits—using practical disciplines (study, mantra, regulated living) as today’s equivalents of “carrying the symbols” of training.