Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 34

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties

Devanagari script

शौचमाचमनं स्‍नानं सन्ध्योपास्तिर्ममार्चनम् । तीर्थसेवा जपोऽस्पृश्याभक्ष्यासम्भाष्यवर्जनम् ॥ ३४ ॥ सर्वाश्रमप्रयुक्तोऽयं नियम: कुलनन्दन । मद्भ‍ाव: सर्वभूतेषु मनोवाक्कायसंयम: ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

śaucam ācamanaṁ snānaṁ sandhyopāstir mamārcanam tīrtha-sevā japo ’spṛśyā- bhakṣyāsambhāṣya-varjanam

Translation

My dear Uddhava, cleanliness, ācaman (ritual washing), bathing, sandhyā worship at sunrise, noon, and sunset, worship of Me, service to holy places, japa, and avoiding what is untouchable, uneatable, or unfit to discuss—these regulations apply to all āśramas; and by controlling mind, speech, and body one should remember My presence as Paramātmā within all beings.

Synonyms

• शौचम्: purity/cleanliness
• शौचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (सूची-पद)

• आचमनम्: sipping water (ācamanam)
• आचमनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सन्ध्या-उपास्तिः: worship at twilight (sandhyā-upāsanā)
• सन्ध्या-उपास्तिः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक) + उपास्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मम: of me / my
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अर्चनम्: worship (offering)
• अर्चनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तीर्थ-सेवा: service to holy places/saints
• तीर्थ-सेवा: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• जपः: recitation (japa)
• जपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अस्पृश्य-अभक्ष्य-असम्भाष्य-वर्जनम्: avoidance of the untouchable, uneatable, and improper-to-speak-to
• अस्पृश्य-अभक्ष्य-असम्भाष्य-वर्जनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्पृश्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अभक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + असम्भाष्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहारार्थ-तत्पुरुष (वर्जनम् of these); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about daily purification and discipline (niyama)?

In 11.17.34, Kṛṣṇa lists disciplines such as cleanliness, ācamana, bathing, sandhyā worship, worship of the Lord, pilgrimage-service, japa, and avoiding impure contact, forbidden foods, and improper association.

Why did Krishna teach these practices to Uddhava in Canto 11?

Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on varṇāśrama-based disciplines that steady one’s senses and mind, supporting devotion and right conduct as Kṛṣṇa prepares to conclude His manifest pastimes.

How can I apply Bhagavatam 11.17.34 in modern life?

Keep personal and mental cleanliness, maintain a simple daily worship routine (prayer/reading/japa), be mindful of diet, and avoid degrading company and conversations that pull the mind away from devotion.