> > S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 11
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda his pupils
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > *******

> > Canto 11: 'General History'

> > *******

> > Chapter Seventeen: Lord Krishna's Description of the Varnâs'rama System

> > TEXTS 1 - 2

> > s'rî-uddhava uvâca

> > yas tvayâbhihitah pûrvam

> > dharmas tvad-bhakti-lakshanah

> > varnâs'amâcâravatâm

> > sarveshâm dvi-padâm api

> > yathânusthhîyamânena

> > tvayi bhaktir nrinâm bhavet

> > sva-dharmenâravindâksha

> > tan mamâkhyâtum arhasi

> > s'rî-uddhavah uvâca - S'rî Uddhava said; yah - which; tvayâ - by You; abhihitah - described; pûrvam - previously; dharmah - religious principles; tvat-bhakti-lakshanah - characterized by devotional service to Your Lordship; varna-âs'rama - of the varnâs'rama system; âcâravatâm - of the faithful followers; sarveshâm - of all; dvi-padâm - of ordinary human beings (who do not follow the varnâs'rama system); api - even;

> > yathâ - according to; anusthhîyamânena - the process being executed; tvayi - in You; bhaktih - loving service; nrinâm - of human beings; bhavet - may be; sva-dharmena - by one's own occupational duty; aravinda-aksha - O lotus-eyed one; tat - that; mama - to me; âkhyâtum - to explain; arhasi - You ought.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî Uddhava said: My dear Lord, previously You described the principles of devotional service that are to be practiced by followers of the varnâs'rama system and even ordinary, unregulated human beings. My dear lotus-eyed Lord, now please explain to me how all human beings can achieve loving service unto You by the execution of their prescribed duties.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 3 - 4

> > purâ kila mahâ-bâho

> > dharmam paramakam prabho

> > yat tena hamsa-rûpena

> > brahmane 'bhyâttha mâdhava

> > sa idânîm su-mahatâ

> > kâlenâmitra-kars'ana

> > na prâyo bhavitâ martya-

> > loke prâg anus'âsitah

> > purâ - previously; kila - indeed; mahâ-bâho - O mighty-armed one; dharmam - religious principles; paramakam - bringing the greatest happiness; prabho - my Lord; yat - which; tena - by that; hamsa-rûpena - in the form of Lord Hamsa; brahmane - unto Lord Brahmâ; abhyâttha - You spoke; mâdhava - my dear Mâdhava;

> > sah - that (knowledge of religious principles); idânîm - presently; su-mahatâ - after very long; kâlena - time; amitra-kars'ana - O subduer of the enemy; na - not; prâyah - generally; bhavitâ - will exist; martya-loke - in human society; prâk - previously; anus'âsitah - instructed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord, O mighty-armed one, previously in Your form of Lord Hamsa You spoke to Lord Brahmâ those religious principles that bring supreme happiness to the practitioner. My dear Mâdhava, now much time has passed, and that which You previously instructed will soon practically cease to exist, O subduer of the enemy.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 5 - 6

> > vaktâ kartâvitâ nânyo

> > dharmasyâcyuta te bhuvi

> > sabhâyâm api vairin'cyâm

> > yatra mûrti-dharâh kalâh

> > kartrâvitrâ pravaktrâ ca

> > bhavatâ madhusûdana

> > tyakte mahî-tale deva

> > vinastham kah pravakshyati

> > vaktâ - speaker; kartâ - creator; avitâ - protector; na - not; anyah - any other; dharmasya - of supreme religious principles; acyuta - my dear Acyuta; te - than You; bhuvi - on the earth; sabhâyâm - in the assembly; api - even; vairin'cyâm - of Lord Brahmâ; yatra - wherein; mûrti-dharâh - in the personified form; kalâh - the Vedas; kartrâ - by the creator; avitrâ - by the protector; pravaktrâ - by the speaker; ca - also; bhavatâ - by Your Lordship; madhusûdana - my dear Madhusûdana; tyakte - when it is abandoned; mahî-tale - the earth; deva - my dear Lord; vinastham - those lost principles of religion; kah - who; pravakshyati - will speak.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Lord Acyuta, there is no speaker, creator and protector of supreme religious principles other than Your Lordship, either on the earth or even in the assembly of Lord Brahmâ, where the personified Vedas reside. Thus, my dear Lord Madhusûdana, when You, who are the very creator, protector and speaker of spiritual knowledge, abandon the earth, who will again speak this lost knowledge?

> > ******

> > TEXT 7

> > tat tvam nah sarva-dharma-jn'a

> > dharmas tvad-bhakti-lakshanah

> > yathâ yasya vidhîyeta

> > tathâ varnaya me prabho

> > tat - therefore; tvam - You; nah - among us (human beings); sarva-dharma-jn'a - O supreme knower of religious principles; dharmah - the spiritual path; tvat-bhakti - by loving service to You; lakshanah - characterized; yathâ - in which way; yasya - of whom; vidhîyeta - may be executed; tathâ - in that way; varnaya - please describe; me - unto me; prabho - my Lord.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Therefore, my Lord, since You are the knower of all religious principles, please describe to me the human beings who may execute the path of loving service to You and how such service is to be rendered.

> > ******

> > TEXT 8

> > s'rî-s'uka uvâca

> > ittham sva-bhritya-mukhyena

> > pristhah sa bhagavân harih

> > prîtah kshemâya martyânâm

> > dharmân âha sanâtanân

> > s'rî-s'ukah uvâca - S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said; ittham - thus; sva-bhritya-mukhyena - by the best of His devotees; pristhah - questioned; sah - He; bhagavân - the Supreme Personality of Godhead; harih - S'rî Krishna; prîtah - being pleased; kshemâya - for the highest welfare; martyânâm - of all conditioned souls; dharmân - religious principles; âha - spoke; sanâtanân - eternal.

> > TRANSLATION

> > S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said - S'rî Uddhava, the best of devotees, thus inquired from the Lord. Hearing his question, the Personality of Godhead, s'rî Krishna, was pleased and for the welfare of all conditioned souls spoke those religious principles that are eternal.

> > ******

> > TEXT 9

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca

> > dharmya esha tava pras'no

> > naihs'reyasa-karo nrinâm

> > varnâs'ramâcâravatâm

> > tam uddhava nibodha me

> > s'rî-bhagavân uvâca - the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; dharmyah - faithful to religious principles; eshah - this; tava - your; pras'nah - question; naihs'reyasa-karah - the cause of pure devotional service; nrinâm - for ordinary human beings; varna-âs'rama - the varnâs'rama system; âcâra-vatâm - for those who faithfully follow; tam - those highest religious principles; uddhava - My dear Uddhava; nibodha - please learn; me - from Me.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead said - My dear Uddhava, your question is faithful to religious principles and thus gives rise to the highest perfection in life, pure devotional service, for both ordinary human beings and the followers of the varnâs'rama system. Now please learn from Me those supreme religious principles.

> > ******

> > TEXT 10

> > âdau krita-yuge varno

> > nrinâm hamsa iti smritah

> > krita-krityâh prajâ jâtyâ

> > tasmât krita-yugam viduh

> > âdau - in the beginning (of the millennium); krita-yuge - in the Satya-yuga, or age of truth; varnah - the social class; nrinâm - of human beings; hamsah - named hamsa; iti - thus; smritah - well known; krita-krityâh - perfect in the execution of duties by complete surrender to the Supreme Lord; prajâh - the citizens; jâtyâ - automatically by birth; tasmât - therefore; krita-yugam - Krita-yuga, or the age in which all duties are fulfilled; viduh - was thus known by the learned.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the beginning, in Satya-yuga, there is only one social class, called hamsa, to which all human beings belong. In that age all people are unalloyed devotees of the Lord from birth, and thus learned scholars call this first age Krita-yuga, or the age in which all religious duties are perfectly fulfilled.

> > ******

> > TEXT 11

> > vedah pranava evâgre

> > dharmo 'ham vrisha-rûpa-dhrik

> > upâsate tapo-nisthhâ

> > hamsam mâm mukta-kilbishâh

> > vedah - the Veda; pranavah - the sacred syllable om; eva - indeed; agre - in Satya-yuga; dharmah - the object of mental activities; aham - I; vrisha-rûpa-dhrik - bearing the form of the bull of religion; upâsate - they worship; tapah-nisthhâh - fixed in austerity; hamsam - Lord Hamsa; mâm - Me; mukta - freed from; kilbishâh - all sins.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In Satya-yuga the undivided Veda is expressed by the syllable om, and I am the only object of mental activities. I become manifest as the four-legged bull of religion, and thus the inhabitants of Satya-yuga, fixed in austerity and free from all sins, worship Me as Lord Hamsa.

> > ******

> > TEXT 12

> > tretâ-mukhe mahâ-bhâga

> > prânân me hridayât trayî

> > vidyâ prâdurabhût tasyâ

> > aham âsam tri-vrin makhah

> > tretâ-mukhe - at the beginning of Tretâ-yuga; mahâ-bhâga - O greatly fortunate one; prânât - from the abode of prâna, or the life air; me - My; hridayât - from the heart; trayî - the threefold; vidyâ - Vedic knowledge; prâdurabhût - appeared; tasyâh - from that knowledge; aham - I; âsam - appeared; tri-vrit - in three divisions; makhah - sacrifice.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O greatly fortunate one, at the beginning of Tretâ-yuga Vedic knowledge appeared from My heart, which is the abode of the air of life, in three divisions - as Rig, Sâma and Yajur. Then from that knowledge I appeared as threefold sacrifice.

> > ******

> > TEXT 13

> > vipra-kshatriya-vith-s'ûdrâ

> > mukha-bâhûru-pâda-jâh

> > vairâjât purushâj jâtâ

> > ya âtmâcâra-lakshanâh

> > vipra - brâhmanas; kshatriya - kshatriyas, the martial class; vith - vais'yas, mercantile men; s'ûdrâh - s'ûdras, workers; mukha - from the mouth; bâhu - arms; ûru - thighs; pâda - and legs; jâh - born; vairâjât - from the universal form; purushât - from the Personality of Godhead; jâtâh - generated; ye - who; âtma - personal; âcâra - by activities; lakshanâh - recognized.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In Tretâ-yuga the four social orders were manifested from the universal form of the Personality of Godhead. The brâhmanas appeared from the Lord's face, the kshatriyas from the Lord's arms, the vais'yas from the Lord's thighs and the s'ûdras from the legs of that mighty form. Each social division was recognized by its particular duties and behavior.

> > ******

> > TEXT 14

> > grihâs'ramo jaghanato

> > brahmacaryam hrido mama

> > vakshah-sthalâd vane-vâsah

> > sannyâsah s'irasi sthitah

> > griha-âs'ramah - married life; jaghanatah - from the loins; brahmacaryam - celibate student life; hridah - from the heart; mama - My; vakshah-sthalât - from the chest; vane - in the forest; vâsah - dwelling; sannyâsah - the renounced order of life; s'irasi - in the head; sthitah - situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The married order of life appeared from the loins of My universal form, and the celibate students came from My heart. The forest-dwelling retired order of life appeared from My chest, and the renounced order of life was situated within the head of My universal form.

> > ******

> > TEXT 15

> > varnânâm âs'ramânâm ca

> > janma-bhûmy-anusârinîh

> > âsan prakritayo nËnâm

> > nîcair nîcottamottamâh

> > varnânâm - of the occupational divisions; âs'ramânâm - of the social divisions; ca - also; janma - of birth; bhûmi - the situation; anusârinîh - according to; âsan - appeared; prakritayah - the natures; nrînâm - of human beings; nîcaih - by inferior background; nîca - inferior nature; uttama - by superior background; uttamâh - superior natures.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The various occupational and social divisions of human society appeared according to inferior and superior natures manifest in the situation of the individual's birth.

> > ******

> > TEXT 16

> > s'amo damas tapah s'aucam

> > santoshah kshântir ârjavam

> > mad-bhaktis' ca dayâ satyam

> > brahma-prakritayas tv imâh

> > s'amah - peacefulness; damah - sense control; tapah - austerity; s'aucam - cleanliness; santoshah - full satisfaction; kshântih - forgiveness; ârjavam - simplicity and straightforwardness; mat-bhaktih - devotional service unto Me; ca - also; dayâ - mercy; satyam - truth; brahma - of the brâhmanas; prakritayah - the natural qualities; tu - indeed; imâh - these.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, cleanliness, satisfaction, tolerance, simple straightforwardness, devotion to Me, mercy and truthfulness are the natural qualities of the brâhmanas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 17

> > tejo balam dhritih s'auryam

> > titikshaudâryam udyamah

> > sthairyam brahmanyam ais'varyam

> > kshatra-prakritayas tv imâh

> > tejah - dynamic power; balam - bodily strength; dhritih - determination; s'auryam - heroism; titikshâ - tolerance; audâryam - generosity; udyamah - endeavor; sthairyam - steadiness; brahmanyam - being always eager to serve the brâhmanas; ais'varyam - leadership; kshatra - of the kshatriyas; prakritayah - the natural qualities; tu - indeed; imâh - these.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dynamic power, bodily strength, determination, heroism, tolerance, generosity, great endeavor, steadiness, devotion to the brâhmanas and leadership are the natural qualities of the kshatriyas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 18

> > âstikyam dâna-nisthhâ ca

> > adambho brahma-sevanam

> > atusthir arthopacayair

> > vais'ya-prakritayas tv imâh

> > âstikyam - faith in Vedic civilization; dâna-nisthhâ - dedicated to charity; ca - also; adambhah - being without hypocrisy; brahma-sevanam - service to the brâhmanas; atusthih - remaining dissatisfied; artha - of money; upacayaih - by the accumulation; vais'ya - of the vais'yas; prakritayah - the natural qualities; tu - indeed; imâh - these.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Faith in Vedic civilization, dedication to charity, freedom from hypocrisy, service to the brâhmanas and perpetually desiring to accumulate more money are the natural qualities of the vais'yas.

> > ******

> > TEXT 19

> > s'us'rûshanam dvija-gavâm

> > devânâm câpy amâyayâ

> > tatra labdhena santoshah

> > s'ûdra-prakritayas tv imâh

> > s'us'rûshanam - service; dvija - of the brâhmanas; gavâm - of the cows; devânâm - of worshipable personalities such as the demigods and the spiritual master; ca - also; api - indeed; amâyayâ - without duplicity; tatra - in such service; labdhena - with that which is obtained; santoshah - complete satisfaction; s'ûdra - of the s'ûdras; prakritayah - the natural qualities; tu - indeed; imâh - these.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Service without duplicity to the brâhmanas, cows, demigods and other worshipable personalities, and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of s'ûdras.

> > ******

> > TEXT 20

> > as'aucam anritam steyam

> > nâstikyam s'ushka-vigrahah

> > kâmah krodhas' ca tarshas' ca

> > sa bhâvo 'ntyâvasâyinâm

> > as'aucam - dirtiness; anritam - dishonesty; steyam - thievery; nâstikyam - faithlessness; s'ushka-vigrahah - useless quarreling; kâmah - lust; krodhah - anger; ca - also; tarshah - hankering; ca - also; sah - this; bhâvah - the nature; antya - in the lowest position; avasâyinâm - of those residing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Dirtiness, dishonesty, thievery, faithlessness, useless quarrel, lust, anger and hankering constitute the nature of those in the lowest position outside the varnâs'rama system.

> > ******

> > TEXT 21

> > ahimsâ satyam asteyam

> > akâma-krodha-lobhatâ

> > bhûta-priya-hitehâ ca

> > dharmo 'yam sârva-varnikah

> > ahimsâ - nonviolence; satyam - truthfulness; asteyam - honesty; a-kâma-krodha-lobhatâ - being free from lust, anger and greed; bhûta - of all living entities; priya - the happiness; hita - and welfare; îhâ - desiring; ca - also; dharmah - duty; ayam - this; sârva-varnikah - for all members of society.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Nonviolence, truthfulness, honesty, desire for the happiness and welfare of all others and freedom from lust, anger and greed constitute duties for all members of society.

> > ******

> > TEXT 22

> > dvitîyam prâpyânupûrvyâj

> > janmopanayanam dvijah

> > vasan guru-kule dânto

> > brahmâdhîyîta câhûtah

> > dvitîyam - second; prâpya - achieving; ânupûrvyât - by the gradual process of purificatory ceremonies; janma - birth; upanayanam - Gâyatrî initiation; dvijah - a twice-born member of society; vasan - residing; guru-kule - in the âs'rama of the spiritual master; dântah - self-controlled; brahma - the Vedic literatures; adhîyîta - should study; ca - and also understand; âhûtah - being summoned by the spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The twice-born member of society achieves second birth through the sequence of purificatory ceremonies culminating in Gâyatrî initiation. Being summoned by the spiritual master, he should reside within the guru's âs'rama and with a self-controlled mind carefully study the Vedic literature.

> > ******

> > TEXT 23

> > mekhalâjina-dandâksha-

> > brahma-sûtra-kamandalûn

> > jathilo 'dhauta-dad-vâso

> > 'rakta-pîthhah kus'ân dadhat

> > mekhalâ - belt; ajina - deerskin; danda - staff; aksha - bead necklace; brahma-sûtra - brâhmana thread; kamandalûn - and waterpot; jathilah - with matted, unruly hair; adhauta - without polishing, bleaching or ironing; dat-vâsah - the teeth and clothes; arakta-pîthhah - without accepting a luxurious or sensuous seat; kus'ân - kus'a grass; dadhat - carrying in his hand.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The brahmacârî should regularly dress with a belt of straw and deerskin garments. He should wear matted hair, carry a rod and waterpot and be decorated with aksha beads and a sacred thread. Carrying pure kus'a grass in his hand, he should never accept a luxurious or sensuous sitting place. He should not unnecessarily polish his teeth, nor should he bleach and iron his clothes.

> > ******

> > TEXT 24

> > snâna-bhojana-homeshu

> > japoccâre ca vâg-yatah

> > na cchindyân nakha-români

> > kakshopastha-gatâny api

> > snâna - while bathing; bhojana - while eating; homeshu - and while attending sacrificial performances; japa - while chanting mantras to oneself; uccâre - while passing stool or urine; ca - also; vâk-yatah - remaining silent; na - not; chindyât - should cut; nakha - the nails; români - or hairs; kaksha - in the armpits; upastha - pubic; gatâni - including; api - even.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brahmacârî should always remain silent while bathing, eating, attending sacrificial performances, chanting japa or passing stool and urine. He should not cut his nails and hair, including the armpit and pubic hair.

> > ******

> > TEXT 25

> > reto nâvakirej jâtu

> > brahma-vrata-dharah svayam

> > avakîrne 'vagâhyâpsu

> > yatâsus tri-padâm japet

> > retah - semen; na - not; avakiret - should spill out; jâtu - ever; brahma-vrata-dharah - one who is maintaining the vow of celibacy, or brahmacarya; svayam - by itself; avakîrne - having flowed out; avagâhya - bathing; apsu - in water; yata-asuh - controlling the breathing by prânâyâma; tri-padâm - the Gâyatrî mantra; japet - he should chant.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One observing the vow of celibate brahmacârî life should never pass semen. If the semen by chance spills out by itself, the brahmacârî should immediately take bath in water, control his breath by prânâyâma and chant the Gâyatrî mantra

> > ******

> > TEXT 26

> > agny-arkâcârya-go-vipra-

> > guru-vriddha-surân' s'ucih

> > samâhita upâsîta

> > sandhye dve yata-vâg japan

> > agni - the fire-god; arka - the sun; âcârya - the âcârya; go - the cows; vipra - the brâhmanas; guru - the spiritual master; vriddha - elder respectable persons; surân - the demigods; s'ucih - purified; samâhitah - with fixed consciousness; upâsîta - he should worship; sandhye - in the junctions of time; dve - two; yata-vâk - observing silence; japan - silently chanting or murmuring the proper mantras.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Purified and fixed in consciousness, the brahmacârî should worship the fire-god, sun, âcârya, cows, brâhmanas, guru, elderly respectable persons and demigods. He should perform such worship at sunrise and sunset, without speaking but by silently chanting or murmuring the appropriate mantras.

> > ******

> > TEXT 27

> > âcâryam mâm vijânîyân

> > nâvanmanyeta karhicit

> > na martya-buddhyâsûyeta

> > sarva-deva-mayo guruh

> > âcâryam - the spiritual master; mâm - Myself; vijânîyât - one should know; na avamanyeta - one should never disrespect; karhicit - at any time; na - never; martya-buddhyâ - with the idea of his being an ordinary man; asûyeta - one should be envious; sarva-deva - of all demigods; mayah - representative; guruh - the spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One should know the âcârya as Myself and never disrespect him in any way. One should not envy him, thinking him an ordinary man, for he is the representative of all the demigods.

> > ******

> > TEXT 28

> > sâyam prâtar upânîya

> > bhaikshyam tasmai nivedayet

> > yac cânyad apy anujn'âtam

> > upayun'jîta samyatah

> > sâyam - in the evening; prâtah - in the morning; upânîya - bringing; bhaikshyam - food that is collected by begging; tasmai - unto him (the âcârya); nivedayet - one should deliver; yat - that which; ca - also; anyat - other things; api - indeed; anujn'âtam - that which is permitted; upayun'jîta - one should accept; samyatah - being fully controlled.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In the morning and evening one should collect foodstuffs and other articles and deliver them to the spiritual master. Then, being self-controlled, one should accept for oneself that which is allotted by the âcârya.

> > ******

> > TEXT 29

> > s'us'rûshamâna âcâryam

> > sadopâsîta nîca-vat

> > yâna-s'ayyâsana-sthânair

> > nâti-dûre kritân'jalih

> > s'us'rûshamânah - engaged in serving; âcâryam - the bona fide spiritual master; sadâ - always; upâsîta - one should worship; nîca-vat - as a humble servant; yâna - by humbly following behind the guru when he is walking; s'ayyâ - by taking rest with the spiritual master; âsana - sitting near the guru to render service; sthânaih - by standing and humbly waiting upon the guru; na - not; ati - very; dûre - far away; krita-an'jalih - with folded hands.

> > TRANSLATION

> > While engaged in serving the spiritual master one should remain as a humble servant, and thus when the guru is walking the servant should humbly walk behind. When the guru lies down to sleep, the servant should also lie down nearby, and when the guru has awakened, the servant should sit near him, massaging his lotus feet and rendering other, similar services. When the guru is sitting down on his âsana, the servant should stand nearby with folded hands, awaiting the guru's order. In this way one should always worship the spiritual master.

> > ******

> > TEXT 30

> > evam-vritto guru-kule

> > vased bhoga-vivarjitah

> > vidyâ samâpyate yâvad

> > bibhrad vratam akhanditam

> > evam - thus; vrittah - engaged; guru-kule - in the âs'rama of the spiritual master; vaset - he should live; bhoga - sense gratification; vivarjitah - freed from; vidyâ - Vedic education; samâpyate - is completed; yâvat - until; bibhrat - maintaining; vratam - the vow (of brahmacarya); akhanditam - unbroken.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Until the student has completed his Vedic education he should remain engaged in the âs'rama of the spiritual master, should remain completely free of material sense gratification and should not break his vow of celibacy [brahmacarya].

> > ******

> > TEXT 31

> > yady asau chandasâm lokam

> > ârokshyan brahma-visthapam

> > gurave vinyased deham

> > svâdhyâyârtham brihad-vratah

> > yadi - if; asau - that student; chandasâm lokam - the Maharloka planet; ârokshyan - desiring to ascend to; brahma-visthapam - Brahmaloka; gurave - unto the guru; vinyaset - he should offer; deham - his body; sva-adhyâya - of superior Vedic studies; artham - for the purpose; brihat-vratah - observing the powerful vow of perpetual celibacy.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If the brahmacârî student desires to ascend to the Maharloka or Brahmaloka planets, then he should completely surrender his activities to the spiritual master and, observing the powerful vow of perpetual celibacy, dedicate himself to superior Vedic studies.

> > ******

> > TEXT 32

> > agnau gurâv âtmani ca

> > sarva-bhûteshu mâm param

> > aprithag-dhîr upasîta

> > brahma-varcasvy akalmashah

> > agnau - in fire; gurau - in the spiritual master; âtmani - in oneself; ca - also; sarva-bhûteshu - in all living entities; mâm - Me; param - the Supreme; aprithak-dhîh - without any concept of duality; upâsîta - one should worship; brahma-varcasvî - possessing Vedic enlightenment; akalmashah - sinless.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus enlightened in Vedic knowledge by service to the spiritual master, freed from all sins and duality, one should worship Me as the Supersoul, as I appear within fire, the spiritual master, one's own self and all living entities.

> > ******

> > TEXT 33

> > strînâm nirîkshana-spars'a-

> > samlâpa-kshvelanâdikam

> > prânino mithunî-bhûtân

> > agrihastho 'gratas tyajet

> > strînâm - in relation to women; nirîkshana - glancing; spars'a - touching; samlâpa - conversing; kshvelana - joking or sporting; âdikam - and so on; prâninah - living entities; mithunî-bhûtân - engaged in sex; agriha-sthah - a sannyâsî, vânaprastha or brahmacârî; agratah - first of all; tyajet - should give up.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Those who are not married - sannyâsîs, vânaprasthas and brahmacârîs - should never associate with women by glancing, touching, conversing, joking or sporting. Neither should they ever associate with any living entity engaged in sexual activities.

> > ******

> > TEXTS 34 - 35

> > s'aucam âcamanam snânam

> > sandhyopâstir mamârcanam

> > tîrtha-sevâ japo 'spris'yâ-

> > bhakshyâsambhâshya-varjanam

> > sarvâs'rama-prayukto 'yam

> > niyamah kula-nandana

> > mad-bhâvah sarva-bhûteshu

> > mano-vâk-kâya-samyamah

> > s'aucam - cleanliness; âcamanam - purifying the hands with water; snânam - bathing; sandhyâ - at sunrise, noon and sunset; upâstih - religious services; mama - of Me; arcanam - worship; tîrtha-sevâ - going to holy places; japah - chanting the holy names of the Lord; aspris'ya - which are untouchable; abhakshya - uneatable; asambhâshya - or not to be discussed; varjanam - avoidance of things;

> > sarva - for all; âs'rama - orders of life; prayuktah - enjoined; ayam - this; niyamah - rule; kula-nandana - My dear Uddhava; mat-bhâvah - perceiving My existence; sarva-bhûteshu - in all living entities; manah - of the mind; vâk - of words; kâya - of the body; samyamah - regulation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My dear Uddhava, general cleanliness, washing the hands, bathing, performing religious services at sunrise, noon and sunset, worshiping Me, visiting holy places, chanting japa, avoiding that which is untouchable, uneatable or not to be discussed, and remembering My existence within all living entities as the Supersoul - these principles should be followed by all members of society through regulation of the mind, words and body.

> > ******

> > TEXT 36

> > evam brihad-vrata-dharo

> > brâhmano 'gnir iva jvalan

> > mad-bhaktas tîvra-tapasâ

> > dagdha-karmâs'ayo 'malah

> > evam - thus; brihat-vrata - that great vow of perpetual celibacy; dharah - maintaining; brâhmanah - a brâhmana; agnih - fire; iva - like; jvalan - becoming bright; mat-bhaktah - My devotee; tîvra-tapasâ - by intense austerities; dagdha - burned; karma - of fruitive activities; âs'ayah - the propensity or mentality; amalah - without contamination of material desire.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brâhmana observing the great vow of celibacy becomes brilliant like fire and by serious austerity burns to ashes the propensity to perform material activities. Free from the contamination of material desire, he becomes My devotee.

> > ******

> > TEXT 37

> > athânantaram âvekshyan

> > yathâ-jijn'âsitâgamah

> > gurave dakshinâm dattvâ

> > snâyâd gurv-anumoditah

> > atha - thus; anantaram - after that; âvekshyan - desiring to enter family life; yathâ - properly; jijn'âsita - having studied; âgamah - the Vedic literature; gurave - to the spiritual master; dakshinâm - remuneration; dattvâ - giving; snâyât - the brahmacârî should cleanse himself, comb his hair, put on nice clothes, etc.; guru - by the spiritual master; anumoditah - permitted.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brahmacârî who has completed his Vedic education and desires to enter household life should offer proper remuneration to the spiritual master, bathe, cut his hair, put on proper clothes, and so on. Then, taking permission from the guru, he should go back to his home.

> > ******

> > TEXT 38

> > griham vanam vopavis'et

> > pravrajed vâ dvijottamah

> > âs'ramâd âs'ramam gacchen

> > nânyathâmat-paras' caret

> > griham - the family home; vanam - the forest; vâ - either; upavis'et - one should enter; pravrajet - one should renounce; vâ - or; dvija-uttamah - a brâhmana; âs'ramât - from one authorized status of life; âs'ramam - to another authorized status; gacchet - one should go; na - not; anyathâ - otherwise; amat-parah - one who is not surrendered to Me; caret - should act.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brahmacârî desiring to fulfill his material desires should live at home with his family, and a householder who is eager to purify his consciousness should enter the forest, whereas a purified brâhmana should accept the renounced order of life. One who is not surrendered to Me should move progressively from one âs'rama to another, never acting otherwise.

> > ******

> > TEXT 39

> > grihârthî sadris'îm bhâryâm

> > udvahed ajugupsitâm

> > yavîyasîm tu vayasâ

> > yam sa-varnâm anu kramât

> > griha - household; arthî - one who desires; sadris'îm - possessing similar characteristics; bhâryâm - a wife; udvahet - one should marry; ajugupsitâm - beyond reproach; yavîyasîm - younger; tu - indeed; vayasâ - by age; yâm - another wife; sa-varnâm - the first wife who is of the same caste; anu - after; kramât - in succession.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who desires to establish family life should marry a wife of his own caste, who is beyond reproach and younger in age. If one desires to accept many wives he must marry them after the first marriage, and each wife should be of a successively lower caste.

> > ******

> > TEXT 40

> > ijyâdhyayana-dânâni

> > sarveshâm ca dvi-janmanâm

> > pratigraho 'dhyâpanam ca

> > brâhmanasyaiva yâjanam

> > ijyâ - sacrifice; adhyayana - Vedic study; dânâni - charity; sarveshâm - of all; ca - also; dvi-janmanâm - those who are twice-born; pratigrahah - acceptance of charity; adhyâpanam - teaching Vedic knowledge; ca - also; brâhmanasya - of the brâhmana; eva - only; yâjanam - performing sacrifices for others.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All twice-born men - brâhmanas, kshatriyas and vais'yas - must perform sacrifice, study the Vedic literature and give charity. Only the brâhmanas, however, accept charity, teach the Vedic knowledge and perform sacrifice on behalf of others.

> > ******

> > TEXT 41

> > pratigraham manyamânas

> > tapas-tejo-yas'o-nudam

> > anyâbhyâm eva jîveta

> > s'ilair vâ dosha-drik tayoh

> > pratigraham - accepting charity; manyamânah - considering; tapah - of one's austerity; tejah - spiritual influence; yas'ah - and fame; nudam - destruction; anyâbhyâm - by the other two (teaching Vedic knowledge and performing sacrifice); eva - indeed; jîveta - a brâhmana should live; s'ilaih - by collecting rejected grains in the field; vâ - or; dosha - the discrepancy; drik - seeing; tayoh - of those two.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brâhmana who considers that accepting charity from others will destroy his austerity, spiritual influence and fame should maintain himself by the other two brahminical occupations, namely teaching Vedic knowledge and performing sacrifice. If the brâhmana considers that those two occupations also compromise his spiritual position, then he should collect rejected grains in agricultural fields and live without any dependence on others.

> > ******

> > TEXT 42

> > brâhmanasya hi deho 'yam

> > kshudra-kâmâya neshyate

> > kricchrâya tapase ceha

> > pretyânanta-sukhâya ca

> > brâhmanasya - of a brâhmana; hi - certainly; dehah - body; ayam - this; kshudra - insignificant; kâmâya - for sense gratification; na - not; ishyate - is meant; kricchrâya - for difficult; tapase - austerities; ca - also; iha - in this world; pretya - after death; ananta - unlimited; sukhâya - happiness; ca - also.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The body of a brâhmana is not intended to enjoy insignificant material sense gratification; rather, by accepting difficult austerities in his life, a brâhmana will enjoy unlimited happiness after death.

> > ******

> > TEXT 43

> > s'ilon'cha-vrittyâ paritustha-citto

> > dharmam mahântam virajam jushânah

> > mayy arpitâtmâ griha eva tisthhan

> > nâti-prasaktah samupaiti s'ântim

> > s'ila-un'cha - of gleaning grains; vrittyâ - by the occupation; paritustha - fully satisfied; cittah - whose consciousness; dharmam - religious principles; mahântam - magnanimous and hospitable; virajam - purified of material desire; jushânah - cultivating; mayi - in Me; arpita - dedicated; âtmâ - whose mind; grihe - at home; eva - even; tisthhan - remaining; na - not; ati - very; prasaktah - attached; samupaiti - achieves; s'ântim - liberation.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A brâhmana householder should remain satisfied in mind by gleaning rejected grains from agricultural fields and marketplaces. Keeping himself free of personal desire, he should practice magnanimous religious principles, with consciousness absorbed in Me. In this way a brâhmana may stay at home as a householder without very much attachment and thus achieve liberation.

> > ******

> > TEXT 44

> > samuddharanti ye vipram

> > sîdantam mat-parâyanam

> > tân uddharishye na cirâd

> > âpadbhyo naur ivârnavât

> > samuddharanti - uplift; ye - those who; vipram - a brâhmana or devotee; sîdantam - suffering (from poverty); mat-parâyanam - surrendered to Me; tân - those who have uplifted; uddharishye - I will uplift; na cirât - in the near future; âpadbhyah - from all miseries; nauh - a boat; iva - like; arnavât - from the ocean.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as a ship rescues those who have fallen into the ocean, similarly, I very quickly rescue from all calamities those persons who uplift brâhmanas and devotees suffering in a poverty-stricken condition.

> > ******

> > TEXT 45

> > sarvâh samuddhared râjâ

> > piteva vyasanât prajâh

> > âtmânam âtmanâ dhîro

> > yathâ gaja-patir gajân

> > sarvâh - all; samuddharet - must uplift; râjâ - the king; pitâ - a father; iva - like; vyasanât - from difficulties; prajâh - the citizens; âtmânam - himself; âtmana - by himself; dhîrah - fearless; yathâ - just as; gaja-patih - a bull elephant; gajân - the other elephants.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Just as the chief bull elephant protects all other elephants in his herd and defends himself as well, similarly, a fearless king, just like a father, must save all of the citizens from difficulty and also protect himself.

> > ******

> > TEXT 46

> > evam-vidho nara-patir

> > vimânenârka-varcasâ

> > vidhûyehâs'ubham kritsnam

> > indrena saha modate

> > evam-vidhah - thus (protecting himself and the citizens); nara-patih - the king; vimânena - with an airplane; arka-varcasâ - as brilliant as the sun; vidhûya - removing; iha - on the earth; as'ubham - sins; kritsnam - all; indrena - Lord Indra; saha - with; modate - he enjoys.

> > TRANSLATION

> > An earthly king who protects himself and all citizens by removing all sins from his kingdom will certainly enjoy with Lord Indra in airplanes as brilliant as the sun.

> > ******

> > TEXT 47

> > sîdan vipro vanig-vrittyâ

> > panyair evâpadam taret

> > khadgena vâpadâkrânto

> > na s'va-vrittyâ kathan'cana

> > sîdan - suffering; viprah - a brâhmana; vanik - of a merchant; vrittyâ - by the occupation; panyaih - by doing business; eva - indeed; âpadam - suffering; taret - should overcome; khadgena - with sword; vâ - or; âpadâ - by suffering; âkrântah - afflicted; na - not; s'va - of the dog; vrittyâ - by the occupation; kathan'cana - by any means.

> > TRANSLATION

> > If a brâhmana cannot support himself through his regular duties and is thus suffering, he may adopt the occupation of a merchant and overcome his destitute condition by buying and selling material things. If he continues to suffer extreme poverty even as a merchant, then he may adopt the occupation of a kshatriya, taking sword in hand. But he cannot in any circumstances become like a dog, accepting an ordinary master.

> > ******

> > TEXT 48

> > vais'ya-vrittyâ tu râjanyo

> > jîven mrigayayâpadi

> > cared vâ vipra-rûpena

> > na s'va-vrittyâ kathan'cana

> > vais'ya - of the mercantile class; vrittyâ - by the occupation; tu - indeed; râjanyah - a king; jîvet - may maintain himself; mrigayayâ - by hunting; âpadi - in an emergency or disastrous situation; caret - may act; vâ - or; vipra-rûpena - in the form of a brâhmana; na - never; s'va - of the dog; vrittyâ - by the profession; kathan'cana - in any circumstance.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A king or other member of the royal order who cannot maintain himself by his normal occupation may act as a vais'ya, may live by hunting or may act as a brâhmana by teaching others Vedic knowledge. But he may not under any circumstances adopt the profession of a s'ûdra.

> > ******

> > TEXT 49

> > s'ûdra-vrittim bhajed vais'yah

> > s'ûdrah kâru-katha-kriyâm

> > kricchrân mukto na garhyena

> > vrittim lipseta karmanâ

> > s'ûdra - of the s'ûdras; vrittim - occupation; bhajet - may accept; vais'yah - a vais'ya; s'ûdrah - a s'ûdra; kâru - of the artisan; katha - straw baskets and mats; kriyâm - making; kricchrât - from the difficult situation; muktah - freed; na - not; garhyena - by that which is inferior; vrittim - livelihood; lipseta - one should desire; karmanâ - by work.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A vais'ya, or mercantile man, who cannot maintain himself may adopt the occupation of a s'ûdra, and a s'ûdra who cannot find a master can engage in simple activities like making baskets and mats of straw. However, all members of society who have adopted inferior occupations in emergency situations must give up those substitute occupations when the difficulties have passed.

> > ******

> > TEXT 50

> > vedâdhyâya-svadhâ-svâhâ-

> > baly-annâdyair yathodayam

> > devarshi-pitri-bhûtâni

> > mad-rûpâny anv-aham yajet

> > veda-adhyâya - by study of Vedic knowledge; svadhâ - by offering the mantra svadhâ; svâhâ - by offering the mantra svâhâ; bali - by token offerings of food; anna-âdyaih - by offering grains, water, etc.; yathâ - according to; udayam - one's prosperity; deva - the demigods; rishi - sages; pitri - the forefathers; bhûtâni - and all living entities; mat-rûpâni - manifestations of My potency; anu-aham - daily; yajet - one should worship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One in the grihastha order of life should daily worship the sages by Vedic study, the forefathers by offering the mantra svadhâ, the demigods by chanting svâhâ, all living entities by offering shares of one's meals, and human beings by offering grains and water. Thus considering the demigods, sages, forefathers, living entities and human beings to be manifestations of My potency, one should daily perform these five sacrifices.

> > ******

> > TEXT 51

> > yadricchayopapannena

> > s'uklenopârjitena vâ

> > dhanenâpîdayan bhrityân

> > nyâyenaivâharet kratûn

> > yadricchayâ - without endeavor; upapannena - which is acquired; s'uklena - by one's honest occupation; upârjitena - acquired; vâ - or; dhanena - with money; apîdayan - not subjecting to discomfort; bhrityân - dependents; nyâyena - properly; eva - indeed; âharet - one should perform; kratûn - sacrifices and other religious ceremonies.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A householder should comfortably maintain his dependents either with money that comes of its own accord or with that gathered by honest execution of one's duties. According to one's means, one should perform sacrifices and other religious ceremonies.

> > ******

> > TEXT 52

> > kuthumbeshu na sajjeta

> > na pramâdyet kuthumby api

> > vipas'cin nas'varam pas'yed

> > adristham api dristha-vat

> > kuthumbeshu - to the family members; na - not; sajjeta - one should be attached; na - not; pramâdyet - should become crazy; kuthumbî - having many dependent family members; api - although; vipas'cit - a wise person; nas'varam - temporary; pas'yet - should see; adristham - future rewards such as residence in heaven; api - indeed; dristha-vat - just like that which is already experienced.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A householder taking care of many dependent family members should not become materially attached to them, nor should he become mentally unbalanced, considering himself to be the lord. An intelligent householder should see that all possible future happiness, just like that which he has already experienced, is temporary.

> > ******

> > TEXT 53

> > putra-dârâpta-bandhûnâm

> > sangamah pântha-sangamah

> > anu-deham viyanty ete

> > svapno nidrânugo yathâ

> > putra - of children; dâra - wife; âpta - relatives; bandhûnâm - and friends; sangamah - the association, living together; pântha - of travelers; sangamah - association; anu-deham - with each change of body; viyanti - they are separated; ete - all these; svapnah - a dream; nidrâ - in sleep; anugah - occurring; yathâ - just as.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The association of children, wife, relatives and friends is just like the brief meeting of travelers. With each change of body one is separated from all such associates, just as one loses the objects one possesses in a dream when the dream is over.

> > ******

> > TEXT 54

> > ittham parimris'an mukto

> > griheshv atithi-vad vasan

> > na grihair anubadhyeta

> > nirmamo nirahankritah

> > ittham - thus; parimris'an - deeply considering; muktah - a liberated soul; griheshu - at home; atithi-vat - just like a guest; vasan - living; na - not; grihaih - by the domestic situation; anubadhyeta - should become bound; nirmamah - without any sense of personal proprietorship; nirahankritah - without false ego.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Deeply considering the actual situation, a liberated soul should live at home just like a guest, without any sense of proprietorship or false ego. In this way he will not be bound or entangled by domestic affairs.

> > ******

> > TEXT 55

> > karmabhir griha-medhîyair

> > isthvâ mâm eva bhaktimân

> > tisthhed vanam vopavis'et

> > prajâvân vâ parivrajet

> > karmabhih - by activities; griha-medhîyaih - suitable for family life; isthvâ - worshiping; mâm - Me; eva - indeed; bhakti-mân - being a devotee; tisthhet - one may remain at home; vanam - the forest; vâ - or; upavis'et - may enter; prajâ-vân - having responsible children; vâ - or; parivrajet - may take sannyâsa.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A householder devotee who worships Me by execution of his family duties may remain at home, go to a holy place or, if he has a responsible son, take sannyâsa.

> > ******

> > TEXT 56

> > yas tv âsakta-matir gehe

> > putra-vittaishanâturah

> > strainah kripana-dhîr mûdho

> > mamâham iti badhyate

> > yah - one who; tu - however; âsakta - attached; matih - whose consciousness; gehe - to his home; putra - for children; vitta - and money; eshana - by ardent desire; âturah - disturbed; strainah - lusty to enjoy women; kripana - miserly; dhîh - whose mentality; mûdhah - unintelligent; mama - everything is mine; aham - I am everything; iti - thus thinking; badhyate - is bound.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But a householder whose mind is attached to his home and who is thus disturbed by ardent desires to enjoy his money and children, who is lusty after women, who is possessed of a miserly mentality and who unintelligently thinks, 'Everything is mine and I am everything,' is certainly bound in illusion.

> > ******

> > TEXT 57

> > aho me pitarau vriddhau

> > bhâryâ bâlâtmajâtmajâh

> > anâthâ mâm rite dînâh

> > katham jîvanti duhkhitâh

> > aho - alas; me - my; pitarau - parents; vriddhau - elderly; bhâryâ - wife; bâla-âtma-jâ - having a mere infant in her arms; âtmâ-jâh - and my other young children; anâthâh - with no one to protect them; mâm - me; rite - without; dînâh - wretched; katham - how in the world; jîvanti - can they live; duhkhitâh - suffering greatly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > 'O my poor elderly parents, and my wife with a mere infant in her arms, and my other young children! Without me they have absolutely no one to protect them and will suffer unbearably. How can my poor relatives possibly live without me?î

> > ******

> > TEXT 58

> > evam grihâs'ayâkshipta-

> > hridayo mûdha-dhîr ayam

> > atriptas tân anudhyâyan

> > mrito 'ndham vis'ate tamah

> > evam - thus; griha - in his domestic situation; âs'aya - by intense desire; âkshipta - overwhelmed; hridayah - his heart; mûdha - unintelligent; dhîh - whose point of view; ayam - this person; atriptah - unsatisfied; tân - them (family members); anudhyâyan - constantly thinking of; mritah - he dies; andham - blindness; vis'ate - enters; tamah - darkness.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thus, because of his foolish mentality, a householder whose heart is overwhelmed by family attachment is never satisfied. Constantly meditating on his relatives, he dies and enters into the darkness of ignorance.

> > Back to the running text