Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 12

Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity

Devanagari script

अञ्जनाभ्यञ्जनोन्मर्दस्त्र्यवलेखामिषं मधु । स्रग्गन्धलेपालङ्कारांस्त्यजेयुर्ये बृहद्‌व्रता: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

añjanābhyañjanonmarda- stry-avalekhāmiṣaṁ madhu srag-gandha-lepālaṅkārāṁs tyajeyur ye bṛhad-vratāḥ

Translation

يجب على أولئك الذين نذروا العزوبة أن يمتنعوا عما يلي: وضع الكحل في العين، وتدليك الجسم بالزيت، والنظر إلى النساء أو رسم صورهن، وأكل اللحم، وشرب الخمر، وارتداء أكاليل الزهور، ووضع العطور، والتزين بالحلي.

Synonyms

• añjana-abhyañjana-unmarda-strī-avalekha-āmiṣam: collyrium, oil-anointing, massage, women’s cosmetics/ointments, meat
• añjana-abhyañjana-unmarda-strī-avalekha-āmiṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: añjana (प्रातिपदिक) + abhyañjana (प्रातिपदिक) + unmarda (प्रातिपदिक) + strī (प्रातिपदिक) + avalekha (प्रातिपदिक) + āmiṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd; द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective)

• madhu: honey
• madhu: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd; द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• srak-gandha-lepa-alaṅkārān: garlands, perfumes, unguents, ornaments
• srak-gandha-lepa-alaṅkārān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: srak (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + lepa (प्रातिपदिक) + alaṅkāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd; द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); itaretara-dvandva list of items

• tyajeyuḥ: should abandon
• tyajeyuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: tyaj (धातु)
• Form: Optative/vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ye: those who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st; प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); relative pronoun

• bṛhad-vratāḥ: great-vowed (ascetics)
• bṛhad-vratāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bṛhat (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st; प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); bahuvrīhi “having a great vow”

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about renunciation of cosmetics and sense pleasures?

In Bhagavatam 7.12.12, strict practitioners (bṛhad-vratāḥ) are advised to abandon beautification and indulgences—such as collyrium, oils, massage, perfumes, garlands, ornaments, meat, and intoxicating honey—because they stimulate attachment and distract from spiritual vows.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe these restrictions to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva is outlining dharma and disciplined conduct for serious spiritual life, teaching Parīkṣit how regulated living and restraint support devotion and liberation by reducing sense agitation.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life without becoming extreme?

Adopt the principle of minimizing indulgence: reduce habits that inflame vanity, intoxication, and compulsive consumption, and replace them with sādhana—chanting, study, service, and a clean, simple lifestyle aligned with one’s spiritual goals.