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Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 15

Gṛhastha-Dharma: How a Householder Attains Liberation by Offering All to Vāsudeva

देवानृषीन् नृभूतानि पितृनात्मानमन्वहम् । स्ववृत्त्यागतवित्तेन यजेत पुरुषं पृथक् ॥ १५ ॥

devān ṛṣīn nṛ-bhūtāni pitṝn ātmānam anvaham sva-vṛttyāgata-vittena yajeta puruṣaṁ pṛthak

Mỗi ngày, với tài vật có được từ sinh kế chân chính, người ta nên cúng tế riêng cho chư thiên, các ṛṣi, con người, muôn loài, tổ tiên và cho chính bản thân. Nhờ vậy, người ấy thờ phụng Đấng Puruṣa Tối Thượng đang ngự trong tim của mọi hữu tình.

devānthe gods
devān:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootdeva (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural
ṛṣīnthe sages
ṛṣīn:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural
nṛ-bhūtānihumans and other beings
nṛ-bhūtāni:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootnṛ + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक; components)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; द्वन्द्व (nṛ + bhūta = ‘men and living beings’)
pitṝnthe forefathers
pitṝn:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootpitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural
ātmānamoneself
ātmānam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootātman (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular
anvahamdaily
anvaham:
Kāla-adhikaraṇa (काल-अधिकरण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootanvaham (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; adverb (अन्वहम् = ‘day by day/daily’)
sva-vṛtti-āgata-vittenawith wealth earned by one’s own work
sva-vṛtti-āgata-vittena:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootsva + vṛtti + āgata + vitta (प्रातिपदिक; components)
FormNeuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष (‘with wealth obtained through one’s own livelihood’)
yajetashould worship
yajeta:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootyaj (धातु)
FormOptative/विधिलिङ्, Ātmanepada, 3rd Person, Singular; √yaj ‘to worship/sacrifice’
puruṣamthe Supreme Person (Lord)
puruṣam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootpuruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular
pṛthakseparately (to each)
pṛthak:
Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रिया-विशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootpṛthak (अव्यय)
FormAvyaya; adverb (पृथक् = ‘separately/individually’)

FAQs

This verse teaches that a gṛhastha should daily honor demigods, sages, humans, other beings, forefathers, and also care for the self—using honestly earned wealth—thereby worshiping the Supreme Person through properly directed service.

He presents these as harmonized duties performed as offerings that culminate in worship of the Supreme Person; when done with the right consciousness and rightful earnings, they support—not replace—devotion to Bhagavān.

Earn ethically, set aside a portion for service and charity, respect teachers and saints, care for family and society, practice compassion to animals and all beings, remember ancestors with gratitude, and maintain health and discipline—seeing these as devotional offerings to God.