Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 27

Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being

Devanagari script

सम्मार्जनोपलेपाभ्यां गृहमण्डनवर्तनै: । स्वयं च मण्डिता नित्यं परिमृष्टपरिच्छदा ॥ २६ ॥ कामैरुच्चावचै: साध्वी प्रश्रयेण दमेन च । वाक्यै: सत्यै: प्रियै: प्रेम्णा काले काले भजेत्पतिम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

sammārjanopalepābhyāṁ gṛha-maṇḍana-vartanaiḥ svayaṁ ca maṇḍitā nityaṁ parimṛṣṭa-paricchadā

Translation

A chaste wife should sweep, cleanse, and maintain the home so it remains ever pure and well adorned; she herself should be neatly dressed each day in clean, attractive garments. Ready to fulfill her husband’s various wishes with humility and self-control, she should speak truthful, sweet, pleasing words and lovingly serve him according to time and circumstance.

Synonyms

• सम्मार्जन-उपलेपाभ्याम्: by sweeping and smearing/plastering
• सम्मार्जन-उपलेपाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्मार्जन (प्रातिपदिक) + उपलेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन — instrumental dual; द्वन्द्वः

• गृह-मण्डन-वर्तनैः: by decorating/maintaining the house
• गृह-मण्डन-वर्तनैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक) + मण्डन (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — instrumental plural

• स्वयम्: herself
• स्वयम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय)

• मण्डिता: adorned
• मण्डिता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मण्डित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मण्ड् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण)

• परिमृष्ट-परिच्छदा: with well-cleaned attire
• परिमृष्ट-परिच्छदा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परिमृष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मृज् (धातु) + क्त) + परिच्छद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni
• Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about cleanliness and household duty in grihastha life?

In this verse, Nārada teaches that maintaining cleanliness, order, and a well-kept home is part of proper household dharma and supports a cultured, sattvic life.

Why did Nārada Muni explain these duties to Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja?

Yudhiṣṭhira asked about varṇāśrama-dharma, and Nārada responded by outlining practical standards for social and spiritual life, including responsibilities within marriage and the home.

How can this teaching be applied in modern devotional life?

Keep one’s living space clean and orderly, maintain personal neatness, and treat daily upkeep as a form of responsible service that supports peace, discipline, and devotion.