Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 25

Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti

Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties

Devanagari script

रेतो नावकिरेज्जातु ब्रह्मव्रतधर: स्वयम् । अवकीर्णेऽवगाह्याप्सु यतासुस्‍त्रिपदां जपेत् ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

reto nāvakirej jātu brahma-vrata-dharaḥ svayam avakīrṇe ’vagāhyāpsu yatāsus tri-padāṁ japet

Translation

Ang nagtatangan ng brahma‑vrata sa buhay‑brahmacārī ay hindi dapat magpaagos ng semilya kailanman. Kung sakaling kusang lumabas ito, agad siyang maligo sa tubig, supilin ang hininga sa prāṇāyāma, at mag‑japa ng mantrang Gāyatrī.

Synonyms

• retaḥ: semen
• retaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: retas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• na: not
• na: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (negation particle)

• avakiret: should discharge/spill
• avakiret: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; निषेधार्थे 'न' सह = 'should not discharge'

• jātu: ever
• jātu: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: jātu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: 'ever/at any time')

• brahma-vrata-dharaḥ: the observer of the brahmacarya vow
• brahma-vrata-dharaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahma (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'holder/observer of the brahmacarya vow'

• svayam: himself
• svayam: Karta-visheshana (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (reflexive adverb)

• avakīrṇe: when (it) has been spilled
• avakīrṇe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√kṝ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त: क्त (Past Passive Participle) सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; 'when spilled/if emission has occurred'

• avagāhya: having bathed
• avagāhya: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-√gāh (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त: ल्यप् (Absolutive/Gerund), 'having bathed/immersed'

• apsu: in water
• apsu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन (वेदिक/क्लासिकल रूप: अप्सु)

• yata-asuḥ: with controlled life-breath/senses
• yata-asuḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yata (प्रातिपदिक) + asu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: 'one whose vital energies are restrained'

• tri-padām: the three-footed (Gāyatrī)
• tri-padām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या) + pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु: 'three-footed (gāyatrī/mantra)'

• japet: should recite
• japet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jap (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• Uddhava

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about brahmacarya (celibacy)?

In 11.17.25, Lord Kṛṣṇa teaches that a brahmacārī should not intentionally discharge semen, and if it happens accidentally, he should purify himself by bathing, controlling the breath, and chanting the Gāyatrī mantra.

Why did Krishna say this to Uddhava in Canto 11?

In the Uddhava Gītā (Canto 11), Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on varṇāśrama-dharma and disciplined spiritual life; this verse gives a practical rule and remedial purification for those observing the brahmacarya vow.

Practical application of brahmacarya and purity in modern life?

Cultivate intentional self-control, avoid deliberate indulgence that weakens the mind, and if one slips unintentionally, respond with humility, purification practices (cleanliness, prayer/mantra), and renewed commitment rather than guilt.