Shloka 1

Brahmā’s Instruction on Brahmacarya, Vānaprastha, and the Aliṅga Path

Ethics of Non-attachment

Devanagari script

ऑपन--माज बछ। ःडिज षट्चत्वारिशो5 ध्याय: ब्रह्मचारी

Transliteration

brahmovāca—evam etena mārgeṇa pūrvoktena yathāvidhi | adhītavān yathāśakti tathaiva brahmacaryavān |

Translation

梵天说道：“正当如此——循此前所述之道，依正当之法——当如法而住。既已量力而学，又守梵行（brahmacarya）之誓者，当安住于自身之本分：使己成学者，摄伏诸根，奉行牟尼之戒律，勤行令师长欢喜且有益之事，言说真实，常依于法（dharma）与清净。”

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus, in this manner
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम्

• एतेन: by this
• एतेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: एतद्
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, singular

• मार्गेण: by the path, by the way
• मार्गेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग
• Form: masculine, instrumental, singular

• पूर्वोक्तेन: by the previously stated (one)
• पूर्वोक्तेन: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्वोक्त
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, singular

• यथा: as, according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• विधि: rule, prescribed manner
• विधि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि
• Form: masculine, locative, singular

• अधीतवान्: has studied
• अधीतवान्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि-इ (अधी-)
• Form: perfect/periphrastic perfect (past), third, singular, masculine

• यथा: as, according to
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा

• शक्ति: ability, capacity
• शक्ति: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति
• Form: feminine, locative, singular

• तथा: so, likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• एव: indeed, just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• ब्रह्मचर्यवान्: possessing brahmacarya (celibate/continent)
• ब्रह्मचर्यवान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्यवत्
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

Speaker

वायुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse emphasizes ashrama-dharma for a brahmacārin: study within one’s capacity, strict observance of celibate discipline, control of the senses, sage-like restraint, service that benefits the guru, truthful speech, and commitment to dharma and purity.

What is happening in the narrative?

A didactic discourse is underway in which divine authority (Brahmā, within the broader dialogue context) lays down the proper conduct for the life-stages—here focusing on the brahmacārin’s disciplined training as the foundation for righteous living.