Shloka 31

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

सत्यं भूतहितं वाक्यमस्तेयं स्वाग्रहं परम् / अमैथुनं ब्रह्मचर्यं सर्वत्यागो ऽपरिग्रहः

Transliteration

satyaṃ bhūtahitaṃ vākyamasteyaṃ svāgrahaṃ param / amaithunaṃ brahmacaryaṃ sarvatyāgo 'parigrahaḥ

Translation

الصدق، والكلام النافع لجميع الكائنات؛ وترك السرقة، وضبط النفس بثبات؛ والعفّة بوصفها براهماجاريا، وترك كل تعلّقٍ وتشبّث—فذلك هو أبارِغراها، عدم التملّك.

Word by Word

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; भाववाचक-नाम

• भूतहितम्: beneficial to beings
• भूतहितम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक) + हित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भूतानां हितम्)

• वाक्यम्: speech; statement
• वाक्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• अस्तेयम्: non-stealing
• अस्तेयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ- + स्तेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/निषेधार्थ

• स्वाग्रहम्: self-restraint; self-control
• स्वाग्रहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य आग्रहः)

• परम्: supreme; highest
• परम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• अमैथुनम्: celibacy; abstinence from sex
• अमैथुनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ- + मैथुन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/निषेधार्थ

• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: brahmacarya; disciplined student-life
• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + चर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणि चर्या)

• सर्वत्यागः: renunciation of all
• सर्वत्यागः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + त्याग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सर्वस्य त्यागः)

• अपरिग्रहः: non-possessiveness
• अपरिग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ- + परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/निषेधार्थ

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ahimsa-like beneficence in speech, truth, non-stealing, continence, and non-possessiveness as the basis of spiritual life.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (purification of mind) enabling jñāna/bhakti; reduction of rāga-dveṣa through aparigraha.

Application: Adopt a daily vow-set: speak truth that benefits, avoid taking what is not given, practice sexual restraint appropriate to life-stage, simplify possessions, and audit ‘grasping’ (hoarding, entitlement).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.32-35 (niyama, japa, āsana, prāṇāyāma)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Living beings (bhutas)

FAQs

What is the importance of aparigraha (non-possessiveness) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines aparigraha as “sarvatyāga”—letting go of grasping and accumulation—presenting it as a core discipline that purifies karma and supports a dharmic life.

How does this verse connect ethical conduct with spiritual progress?

By pairing truth, beneficial speech, non-stealing, and brahmacarya with renunciation, the verse frames spiritual progress as rooted in self-restraint and harm-free living toward all beings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Speak truthfully in ways that help rather than harm, avoid taking what isn’t given, practice disciplined restraint (including sexual moderation), and simplify possessions to reduce attachment.