Shloka 14
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
उषित्वैवं गुरुकुले द्विजोऽधीत्यावबुध्य च । त्रयीं साङ्गोपनिषदं यावदर्थं यथाबलम् ॥ १३ ॥ दत्त्वा वरमनुज्ञातो गुरो: कामं यदीश्वर: । गृहं वनं वा प्रविशेत्प्रव्रजेत्तत्र वा वसेत् ॥ १४ ॥
uṣitvaivaṁ gurukule dvijo ’dhītyāvabudhya ca trayīṁ sāṅgopaniṣadaṁ yāvad-arthaṁ yathā-balam
এইদৰে গুৰুকুলত গুৰুৰ আশ্ৰয়ত থাকি দ্বিজ (ব্ৰাহ্মণ, ক্ষত্ৰিয়, বৈশ্য) এ নিজৰ সামৰ্থ্য অনুসাৰে বেদ-ত্রয়ী, বেদাঙ্গ আৰু উপনিষদ অৰ্থসহ অধ্যয়ন কৰি বুজি ল’ব লাগে। তাৰ পিছত গুৰুৱে যি বিচাৰে সেইমতে দক্ষিণা দি, তেওঁৰ অনুমতি-আজ্ঞা অনুসাৰে গৃহস্থ, বানপ্ৰস্থ বা সন্ন্যাস আশ্ৰম গ্ৰহণ কৰিব লাগে।
To study the Vedas and understand them, of course, requires some special intelligence, but the members of the three higher sections of society — namely the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas — must learn the Vedic literatures according to their capability and power to understand. In other words, studying the Vedic literatures is compulsory for everyone but the śūdras and antyajas. The Vedic literature gives the knowledge that can lead one to understand the Absolute Truth — Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. Gurukula, or the reformatory educational institution, should be used only to understand Vedic knowledge. At the present time there are many educational institutions for training and technology, but such knowledge has nothing to do with understanding of the Absolute Truth. Technology, therefore, is meant for the śūdras, whereas the Vedas are meant for the dvijas. Consequently this verse states, dvijo ’dhītyāvabudhya ca trayīṁ sāṅgopaniṣadam. At the present time, in the Age of Kali, practically everyone is a śūdra, and no one is a dvija. Therefore the condition of society has very much deteriorated.
FAQs
It teaches that a twice-born student should live with the guru and study the Vedas with their auxiliaries and Upaniṣads, focusing on the essential meaning according to his capacity.
In Canto 7 Chapter 12, Prahlada instructs on varnashrama duties, beginning with brahmacarya—training the mind and character through disciplined study under a spiritual master.
Learn foundational scripture with guidance, focus on the purpose (character, devotion, and wisdom), and study consistently within your realistic capacity rather than superficially collecting information.