Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 5
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
सायं प्रातश्चरेद्भैक्ष्यं गुरवे तन्निवेदयेत् । भुञ्जीत यद्यनुज्ञातो नो चेदुपवसेत् क्वचित् ॥ ५ ॥
sāyaṁ prātaś cared bhaikṣyaṁ gurave tan nivedayet bhuñjīta yady anujñāto no ced upavaset kvacit
برہماچاری کو صبح و شام بھیک مانگنے جانا چاہیے اور جو کچھ ملے سب گرو کو پیش کرے۔ گرو کی اجازت ہو تو ہی کھائے؛ ورنہ کبھی کبھی روزہ رکھنا پڑے۔
FAQs
This verse instructs that a brahmacārī should beg alms morning and evening, offer everything to the guru, and eat only with the guru’s permission—otherwise he should sometimes fast.
In Canto 7 Chapter 12, Śukadeva teaches varṇāśrama duties; offering the collected alms to the guru trains humility, detachment, and obedience—foundations for spiritual realization and bhakti.
Practice humility and discipline: earn or receive resources honestly, dedicate the results to God and one’s spiritual guidance, avoid sense-driven eating habits, and accept occasional voluntary restraint (like mindful fasting) to strengthen self-control.