Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 13
Brahmacarya and Vānaprastha Duties; Gradual Dissolution of Bodily Identity
उषित्वैवं गुरुकुले द्विजोऽधीत्यावबुध्य च । त्रयीं साङ्गोपनिषदं यावदर्थं यथाबलम् ॥ १३ ॥ दत्त्वा वरमनुज्ञातो गुरो: कामं यदीश्वर: । गृहं वनं वा प्रविशेत्प्रव्रजेत्तत्र वा वसेत् ॥ १४ ॥
uṣitvaivaṁ gurukule dvijo ’dhītyāvabudhya ca trayīṁ sāṅgopaniṣadaṁ yāvad-arthaṁ yathā-balam
如此，二次生者（婆罗门、刹帝利或吠舍）应住于师门的古鲁库拉，受灵性导师护持，依自身能力学习并领会三部吠陀、诸吠陀支分及奥义书之义。随后按导师所愿奉上达克希那（供养），得其许可，遵其命令而离去，随愿进入居士（gṛhastha）、林栖（vānaprastha）或出家（sannyāsa）之住期。
To study the Vedas and understand them, of course, requires some special intelligence, but the members of the three higher sections of society — namely the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas — must learn the Vedic literatures according to their capability and power to understand. In other words, studying the Vedic literatures is compulsory for everyone but the śūdras and antyajas. The Vedic literature gives the knowledge that can lead one to understand the Absolute Truth — Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān. Gurukula, or the reformatory educational institution, should be used only to understand Vedic knowledge. At the present time there are many educational institutions for training and technology, but such knowledge has nothing to do with understanding of the Absolute Truth. Technology, therefore, is meant for the śūdras, whereas the Vedas are meant for the dvijas. Consequently this verse states, dvijo ’dhītyāvabudhya ca trayīṁ sāṅgopaniṣadam. At the present time, in the Age of Kali, practically everyone is a śūdra, and no one is a dvija. Therefore the condition of society has very much deteriorated.
FAQs
It teaches that a twice-born student should live in the guru’s home and study the Vedas with their auxiliaries and Upaniṣads, aiming to understand the essential meaning according to his capacity.
Because mere recitation is incomplete—Bhagavatam stresses realized comprehension (avabodha) and grasping the intended meaning (yāvad-artha) as the purpose of Vedic learning.
Adopt guided learning under qualified teachers, study foundational texts systematically, and focus on understanding and applying the core principles rather than collecting information.