Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 20

Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity

Devanagari script

अग्‍न्यर्थमेव शरणमुटजं वाद्रिकन्दरम् । श्रयेत हिमवाय्वग्निवर्षार्कातपषाट्‌स्वयम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

agny-artham eva śaraṇam uṭajaṁ vādri-kandaram śrayeta hima-vāyv-agni- varṣārkātapa-ṣāṭ svayam

Translation

Le vānaprastha ne doit prendre une hutte de chaume ou une grotte de montagne que pour garder le feu sacré; mais lui-même doit s’exercer à endurer la neige, le vent, le feu, la pluie et l’ardeur du soleil.

Synonyms

• agni-artham: for (maintaining) fire
• agni-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (अग्नि-प्रातिपदिक) + artha (अर्थ-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे प्रयोगः: "अग्न्यर्थम्" = अग्नेः अर्थाय (for fire)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic: only/indeed)

• śaraṇam: shelter
• śaraṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaraṇa (शरण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• uṭajam: a hut
• uṭajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uṭaja (उटज-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विकल्पे (śaraṇam इत्यस्य विशेष्य-रूपेण)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• adri-kandaram: a mountain cave
• adri-kandaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adri (अद्रि-प्रातिपदिक) + kandara (कन्दर-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (अद्रेः कन्दरम्)

• śrayeta: should resort to
• śrayeta: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śri (श्रि-धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• hima: cold/snow
• hima: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hima (हिम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग (hima-vāyu-agni...)

• vāyu: wind
• vāyu: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu (वायु-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• agni: fire
• agni: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (अग्नि-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• varṣa: rain
• varṣa: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (वर्ष-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• arka: sun
• arka: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arka (अर्क-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• ātapa: heat/sunshine
• ātapa: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātapa (आतप-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग

• ṣāṭ: (protective) covering/cloth
• ṣāṭ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣāṭ (षाट्-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वस्य अङ्ग; छन्दसि/पाठभेदे 'शीत' इत्यर्थे (protective covering)

• svayam: by oneself
• svayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: स्वयम्-शब्दः अव्यय (adverb: oneself/by oneself)

Characters & Entities

• Nārada Muni
• Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about austerity and tolerating discomfort?

This verse teaches that one should generally endure natural hardships—cold, wind, heat, rain, and sun—accepting shelter only when necessary (such as for maintaining the sacred fire), cultivating tapasya and detachment.

Why are Nārada Muni’s instructions on simple living given to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira in Canto 7?

In Canto 7, Nārada explains varṇāśrama-dharma to guide righteous governance and spiritual progress; these principles train self-control and purity, which support devotion and dharma in society.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life without extreme asceticism?

Practice voluntary simplicity: reduce unnecessary comforts, build tolerance and resilience, and accept inconvenience without complaint—while keeping spiritual duties (japa, study, service) steady and central.