Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 21

Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being

Devanagari script

शमो दमस्तप: शौचं सन्तोष: क्षान्तिरार्जवम् । ज्ञानं दयाच्युतात्मत्वं सत्यं च ब्रह्मलक्षणम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ santoṣaḥ kṣāntir ārjavam jñānaṁ dayācyutātmatvaṁ satyaṁ ca brahma-lakṣaṇam

Translation

മനഃസംയമം, ഇന്ദ്രിയസംയമം, തപസ്, ശൗചം, സന്തോഷം, ക്ഷമ, ആർജവം, ജ്ഞാനം, ദയ, സത്യം, കൂടാതെ അച്യുതനായ ശ്രീഹരിയിൽ പൂർണ്ണ ശരണാഗതിയുമാണ് ബ്രാഹ്മണലക്ഷണം।

Synonyms

• शमः: tranquility
• शमः: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दमः: self-control
• दमः: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शौचम्: purity
• शौचम्: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सन्तोषः: contentment
• सन्तोषः: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्तोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• क्षान्तिः: forbearance
• क्षान्तिः: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षान्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आर्जवम्: straightforwardness
• आर्जवम्: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्जव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दया: compassion
• दया: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अच्युतात्मत्वम्: steadfast devotion/identity with Acyuta
• अच्युतात्मत्वम्: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत + आत्मत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: अच्युतस्य आत्मत्वम् (identity/steadfastness in the infallible)

• सत्यम्: truthfulness
• सत्यम्: कर्ता/विषय (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ब्रह्मलक्षणम्: the characteristic of a brāhmaṇa
• ब्रह्मलक्षणम्: विधेय (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ब्रह्मणः लक्षणम्

Purport

In the institution of varṇāśrama-dharma, the symptoms of a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, and sannyāsī are all described. The ultimate aim is acyutātmatvam — to think always of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu. To make advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one has to become a brāhmaṇa, with the above-mentioned symptoms.

Characters & Entities

• Acyuta (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What are the qualities of a brāhmaṇa according to Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse lists the brāhmaṇa’s defining traits: peace, self-control, austerity, cleanliness, contentment, tolerance, simplicity, spiritual knowledge, compassion, devotion to Acyuta (the Lord), and truthfulness.

Why does Shukadeva Gosvami describe brāhmaṇa qualities in Canto 7 Chapter 11?

In this chapter, Shukadeva explains varṇāśrama-dharma—how an ideal society functions through spiritual qualifications—so he outlines the lakṣaṇa (symptoms) of each class, beginning with the brāhmaṇa.

How can I apply shama, dama, and satya in modern life?

Practice calmness through regular prayer/meditation, regulate habits and senses with discipline, and commit to truthful speech and integrity—supported by compassion and devotion to the Lord as the verse emphasizes.