Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 3
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
छन्दांस्यधीयीत गुरोराहूतश्चेत् सुयन्त्रित: । उपक्रमेऽवसाने च चरणौ शिरसा नमेत् ॥ ३ ॥
chandāṁsy adhīyīta guror āhūtaś cet suyantritaḥ upakrame ’vasāne ca caraṇau śirasā namet
Apabila dipanggil oleh guru rohani, murid hendaklah berdisiplin dan mengkaji mantra-mantra Veda setiap hari. Pada permulaan dan penutup pelajaran, dia menundukkan kepala dan bersujud hormat di kaki guru.
FAQs
This verse teaches disciplined service to the guru—responding when called and offering obeisances at the beginning and end of one’s study—showing that humility and guru-reverence are essential to Vedic learning.
In the context of varnashrama-dharma teachings, Shukadeva explains proper brahmachari conduct: learning is sanctified by humility, and honoring the guru frames study as sacred service rather than mere scholarship.
Maintain punctuality and responsiveness to guidance, begin and end study or practice with gratitude and humility, and treat learning as character-training—self-restraint, respect, and consistency.