Shloka 7

Kṛṣṇa Comforts His Parents, Restores Ugrasena, Studies with Sāndīpani, and Returns the Guru’s Son

Devanagari script

मातरं पितरं वृद्धं भार्यां साध्वीं सुतं शिशुम् । गुरुं विप्रं प्रपन्नं च कल्पोऽबिभ्रच्छ्वसन् मृत: ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

mātaraṁ pitaraṁ vṛddhaṁ bhāryāṁ sādhvīṁ sutam śiśum guruṁ vipraṁ prapannaṁ ca kalpo ’bibhrac chvasan-mṛtaḥ

Translation

若有人明明有能力，却不奉养年迈父母、不扶持贞洁之妻与幼子、不侍奉师长，或怠慢婆罗门与前来求庇护者，此人虽仍呼吸，亦被视为已死。

Synonyms

• mātaram: mother
• mātaram: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• pitaram: father
• pitaram: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vṛddham: aged
• vṛddham: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying pitaram (or elder parent)

• bhāryām: wife
• bhāryām: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāryā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sādhvīm: virtuous
• sādhvīm: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sādhvī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying bhāryām

• sutam: son
• sutam: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• śiśum: infant/child
• śiśum: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiśu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• gurum: teacher
• gurum: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vipram: brāhmaṇa
• vipram: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• prapannam: one who has sought refuge
• prapannam: Karma (कर्म/object—borne)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + pad (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Accusative, Singular; 'one who has taken refuge/surrendered'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• kalpaḥ: a capable man / fit person
• kalpaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• abibhrat: bore/supported
• abibhrat: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhṛ (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), 3rd Person, Singular; parasmaipada; form with augment a- and reduplication: a-bibhṛ-t

• śvasan-mṛtaḥ: (as if) dead though breathing
• śvasan-mṛtaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śvasat (कृदन्त; श्वस् धातु, शतृ) + mṛta (कृदन्त; मृ धातु, क्त)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; descriptive compound: 'dead while still breathing' (i.e., as good as dead) qualifying kalpaḥ

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about abandoning one’s dependents?

This verse says that even if one is materially able, abandoning parents, spouse, children, guru, brāhmaṇas, or anyone who has taken shelter makes one “dead while breathing,” meaning spiritually fallen and blameworthy.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī call such a person “dead while breathing”?

Because dharma is lived through protection and service to those one is bound to support; neglecting them destroys one’s moral and spiritual life, leaving only the appearance of living.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Keep clear responsibilities: care for parents and dependents, honor marriage and family duties, support teachers and spiritual guides, and never exploit those who rely on you—make devotion practical through dependable service.