Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.12.42
सावित्रं प्राजापत्यं च ब्राह्मं चाथ बृहत्तथा ।
वार्तासञ्चयशालीनशिलोञ्छ इति वै गृहे ॥ ४२ ॥
sāvitraṁ prājāpatyaṁ ca
[saavitram praajaapatyam cha]
brāhmaṁ cātha bṛhat tathā
[braahmam chaatha brihat tathaa]
vārtā sañcaya-śālīna-
[vaartaa sanchaya-shaaleena-]
śiloñcha iti vai gṛhe
[shiloncha iti vai grihe]
Word-for-word
sāvitram
—
the thread ceremony of the twice-born
prājāpatyam
—
to execute the vow for one year
ca
—
and
brāhmam
—
acceptance of the Vedas
ca
—
and
atha
—
also
bṛhat
—
complete abstinence from sex life
tathā
—
then
vārtā
—
vocation in terms of Vedic sanction
sañcaya
—
professional duty
śālīna
—
livelihood without asking anyone for cooperation
śila-uñchaḥ
—
picking up rejected grains
iti
—
thus
vai
—
even though
gṛhe
—
in household life.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sāvitraṁ prājāpatyaṁ ca
sāvitram
the thread ceremony of the twice-born
prājāpatyam
to execute the vow for one year
ca
and
brāhmaṁ cātha bṛhat tathā
brāhmam
acceptance of the Vedas
ca
and
atha
also
bṛhat
complete abstinence from sex life
tathā
then
vārtā sañcaya-śālīna-
vārtā
vocation in terms of Vedic sanction
sañcaya
professional duty
śālīna
livelihood without asking anyone for cooperation
śiloñcha iti vai gṛhe
śila-uñchaḥ
picking up rejected grains
iti
thus
vai
even though
gṛhe
in household life.
Then the thread ceremony for the twice-born was inaugurated, as were the rules to be followed for at least one year after acceptance of the Vedas, rules for observing complete abstinence from sex life, vocations in terms of Vedic injunctions, various professional duties in household life, and the method of maintaining a livelihood without anyone’s cooperation by picking up rejected grains.
Purport
During student life the brahmacārīs were given full instructions about the importance of the human form of life. Thus the basic education was designed to encourage the student in becoming free from family encumbrances. Only students unable to accept such a vow in life were allowed to go home and marry a suitable wife. Otherwise, the student would remain a permanent brahmacārī, observing complete abstinence from sex life for his whole life. It all depended on the quality of the student’s training. We had the opportunity to meet an avowed brahmacārī in the personality of our spiritual master, Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Gosvāmī Mahārāja. Such a great soul is called a naiṣṭhika-brahmacārī.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
The four types of brahmacarya –sāvitra, prājāpatya, brāhmana and bṛhat arose from Brahmā’s four mouths. The four occupations of the householder—vārtā, sañcaya, śālīna and śiloñcha arose from his four mouths.
After taking the sacred thread, remaining celibate for three nights is called sāvitra. Remaining celibate for a year is called prājāpatya. Remaining celibate until learning the Vedas is called brāhma. Brhāt means celibacy till death. Vārtā refers to occupations not forbidden such a s agriculture. Sañcaya means performing sacrifices. Śālīna means taking alms without begging. Śiloñchana means taking the fallen grains in the field. Śila and uñccha are combined a dvandva in the singular as in the phrase ukāla jjhrasva-hīrgha-plutaḥ (Pāninī 1.2.27). They are combined together with the same meaning. These are the four types of occupation for the householder (gṛhe).
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
The teacher in this verse is not just a source of information but an entry point into a lineage. Truth received through hands that received it can be trusted. Its centre of gravity is spiritual master.
Reflection Questions
- Where have you tried to learn devotion without a living human guide?
- Whose lineage do you stand inside, even quietly, and how does that shape what you hear?
My note
Source: vedabase.io