Shloka 6

Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity

Devanagari script

सुशीलो मितभुग्दक्ष: श्रद्दधानो जितेन्द्रिय: । यावदर्थं व्यवहरेत् स्त्रीषु स्त्रीनिर्जितेषु च ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

suśīlo mita-bhug dakṣaḥ śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ yāvad-arthaṁ vyavaharet strīṣu strī-nirjiteṣu ca

Translation

பிரம்மச்சாரி நல்லொழுக்கமுடையவனாக, அளவோடு உண்பவனாக, திறமையுடையவனாக இருக்க வேண்டும். குரு மற்றும் சாஸ்திர உபதேசங்களில் உறுதியான நம்பிக்கையுடன், புலன்களை அடக்கி, பெண்களோடு அல்லது பெண்களால் ஆளப்படுவோருடனோ தேவையான அளவிற்கு மட்டுமே பழக வேண்டும்.

Synonyms

• सुशीलः: of good conduct
• सुशीलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुशील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मितभुक्: moderate-eating
• मितभुक्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मित (प्रातिपदिक) + भुज् (धातु) → भुक् (कृदन्त/उपपद)
• Form: उपपद-तत्पुरुष (मितं भुङ्क्ते इति); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• दक्षः: capable / diligent
• दक्षः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• श्रद्दधानः: faithful / believing
• श्रद्दधानः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रद्धा (प्रातिपदिक) + धा (धातु) शतृ (प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Present active participle, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• जितेन्द्रियः: one who has conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (प्रातिपदिक; जि धातु + क्त) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (इन्द्रियाणि जितानि यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• यावत्: as much as
• यावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाण/सीमावाचक-अव्यय; adverbial 'as much as'

• अर्थम्: need / purpose
• अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Masculine, Accusative, Singular (परिमाणार्थे)

• व्यवहरेत्: should transact / behave
• व्यवहरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-अव-हृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; Optative, 3rd person, Singular

• स्त्रीषु: among women
• स्त्रीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Feminine, Locative, Plural

• स्त्रीनिर्जितेषु: among those conquered by women
• स्त्रीनिर्जितेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + निर्जित (प्रातिपदिक; नि-√जि + क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (स्त्रिया निर्जितेषु = by women conquered); पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Masculine, Locative, Plural (यतेषु/पुंषु बोध्येषु)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

Purport

A brahmacārī should be very careful not to mix with women or with men addicted to women. Although when he goes out to beg alms it is necessary to talk with women and with men very much attached to women, this association should be very short, and he should talk with them only about begging alms, and not more. A brahmacārī should be very careful in associating with men who are attached to women.

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about controlling the senses (jitendriya)?

This verse teaches that a spiritually grounded person should be self-controlled, moderate in habits, and guided by faith—keeping interactions that stimulate lust strictly within the limits of duty.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī emphasize limited association with women and with lust-driven people?

In the context of varṇāśrama guidance, he highlights that uncontrolled association fuels sense agitation and distracts the mind from dharma and devotion; therefore, one should keep such dealings only as required and avoid corrupting company.

How can I apply this Bhagavatam teaching in modern life?

Practice moderation (food, media, habits), choose uplifting company, set clear boundaries in relationships, and keep interactions aligned with responsibility and spiritual goals rather than impulse.