SB 11.17.24

Srimad-Bhagavatam, Eleventh Canto, Chapter 17: Lord Kṛṣṇa's Description of the Varṇāśrama System

SB 11.17.23

SB 11.17.25

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

TEXT 24

snāna-bhojana-homeṣu
japoccāre ca vāg-yataḥ
na cchindyān nakha-romāṇi
kakṣopastha-gatāny api

SYNONYMS

snāna—while bathing; bhojana—while eating; homeṣu—and while attending sacrificial performances; japa—while chanting mantras to oneself; uccāre—while passing stool or urine; ca—also; vāk-yataḥ—remaining silent; na—not; chindyāt—should cut; nakha—the nails; romāṇi—or hairs; kakṣa—in the armpits; upastha—pubic; gatāni—including; api—even.

TRANSLATION

A brahmacārī 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.

PURPORT

Nārada Muni gives a similar technical description of Vedic brahmacārī life in Canto Seven, Chapter Twelve of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.