Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 42

Vānaprastha-vidhi and Sannyāsa-dharma: Austerity, Detachment, and the Paramahaṁsa Ideal

Devanagari script

भिक्षोर्धर्म: शमोऽहिंसा तप ईक्षा वनौकस: । गृहिणो भूतरक्षेज्या द्विजस्याचार्यसेवनम् ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

bhikṣor dharmaḥ śamo ’hiṁsā tapa īkṣā vanaukasaḥ gṛhiṇo bhūta-rakṣejyā dvijasyācārya-sevanam

Translation

ಭಿಕ್ಷು (ಸನ್ನ್ಯಾಸಿ) ಯ ಧರ್ಮ ಶಮ ಮತ್ತು ಅಹಿಂಸೆ; ವಾನಪ್ರಸ್ಥನಿಗೆ ತಪಸ್ಸು ಮತ್ತು ದೇಹ-ಆತ್ಮ ವಿಭೇದದ ತತ್ತ್ವದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮುಖ್ಯ; ಗೃಹಸ್ಥನ ಧರ್ಮ ಸರ್ವ ಜೀವಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಆಶ್ರಯ ನೀಡುವುದು ಮತ್ತು ಯಜ್ಞ ಮಾಡುವುದು; ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಾರಿಯ (ದ್ವಿಜ) ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಆಚಾರ್ಯಸೇವೆ.

Synonyms

• भिक्षोः: of a mendicant
• भिक्षोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive 6), एकवचन

• धर्मः: duty; dharma
• धर्मः: Karta/Predicate-noun (कर्तृ/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शमः: tranquility; self-control
• शमः: Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (as item in list)

• अहिंसा: non-violence
• अहिंसा: Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहिंसा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (fem), प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ईक्षा: inner vision; contemplation
• ईक्षा: Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वनौकसः: of a forest-dweller
• वनौकसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वनौकस् (प्रातिपदिक: वन+ओकस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; ‘of the forest-dweller’

• गृहिणः: of a householder
• गृहिणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृहिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• भूत-रक्षा-इज्या: worship through protecting living beings
• भूत-रक्षा-इज्या: Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + इज्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘worship/service consisting of protection of beings’

• द्विजस्य: of a twice-born (brahmin)
• द्विजस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• आचार्य-सेवनम्: service to the teacher
• आचार्य-सेवनम्: Predicate-noun (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘service of the teacher’

Purport

The brahmacārī lives in the āśrama of the spiritual master and personally assists the ācārya. Householders generally are entrusted with the performance of sacrifice and Deity worship and should provide maintenance for all living entities. The vānaprastha must clearly understand the difference between body and soul in order to maintain his status of renunciation, and he should also perform austerities. The sannyāsī should fully absorb his body, mind and words in self-realization. Having thus achieved equanimity of mind, he is the best well-wisher of all living entities.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the duties of different āśramas (stages of life)?

This verse summarizes key duties: a mendicant cultivates tranquility and nonviolence; a forest-dweller practices austerity and contemplation; a householder protects beings and performs worship/sacrifice; and a twice-born student serves the ācārya.

Why did Krishna teach varṇāśrama-dharma to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava-gītā section, Kṛṣṇa gives Uddhava practical guidance for living dharma and progressing spiritually, especially as Kṛṣṇa’s visible pastimes were concluding and devotees needed clear principles for steady practice.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Adopt the essence suited to your situation: practice nonviolence and inner calm, add disciplined austerity and reflection, protect and support others through responsible livelihood, and keep a mood of service to genuine spiritual guidance and learning.