Shloka 14
पुंसां क्रिया-विभागः, संस्काराः, नामकरणम्, विवाहविधानम्
ब्रह्मचर्येण वा कालं कुर्यात् संकल्पपूर्वकम् गुरोः शुश्रूषणं कुर्यात् तत्पुत्रादेर् अथापि वा
brahmacaryeṇa vā kālaṃ kuryāt saṃkalpapūrvakam guroḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṃ kuryāt tatputrāder athāpi vā
Or else, having first made a firm resolve, he should spend his time in disciplined student-life (brahmacarya). He should devote himself to attentive service of the guru—or, if need be, to the service of the guru’s son and other dependents as well.
Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Proper conduct in brahmacarya: resolve, time-discipline, and service to the guru’s household
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: compassionate
Concept: Brahmacarya should be undertaken with firm resolve, expressed through time-discipline and attentive service to the guru and his dependents.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Commit to a chosen discipline with clear vows; practice humility by serving mentors, communities, and those under their care.
Vishishtadvaita: Sevā is not merely social etiquette but a spiritual discipline aligning the self with the Lord’s order mediated through the ācārya.
Bhakti Type: dasya
FAQs
This verse presents brahmacharya as a consciously chosen discipline sustained by sankalpa (resolve), shaping the student’s life through regulated conduct and dedicated service.
He frames it as śuśrūṣā—active, attentive service—extending, when appropriate, to the guru’s son and dependents, emphasizing humility and continuity of the teacher’s household tradition.
Though Vishnu is not named here, the dharma of disciplined living and selfless service is presented as part of the cosmic order upheld by the Supreme (Vishnu), aligning personal conduct with universal sovereignty and moral law.