Shloka 17

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

मितं विपाकं च हितं भक्ष्यं बालादिपूर्वकम् / आपोशानेनोपरिष्टादधस्ताच्चैव भुज्यते

Transliteration

mitaṃ vipākaṃ ca hitaṃ bhakṣyaṃ bālādipūrvakam / āpośānenopariṣṭādadhastāccaiva bhujyate

Translation

ليأكل المرء بقدرٍ معتدل، طعامًا مطهوًّا حسنًا ونافعًا—بادئًا بما يلائم الأطفال ونحوهم. وليتناول بعد أداء الآبوشانا (الرشفة الطقسية من الماء)، مع إبقاء الماء حاضرًا فوقًا وتحتًا كما هو مقرر.

Word by Word

• मितम्: measured/moderate
• मितम्: Qualifier (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मित (प्रातिपदिक; मा (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (भक्ष्यम् इति विशेषण)

• विपाकम्: (proper) cooking/digestion (i.e., well-cooked)
• विपाकम्: Qualifier (Apposition/गुण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विपाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (गुण-निर्देशः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• हितम्: wholesome/beneficial
• हितम्: Qualifier (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक; धा (धातु) + क्त, ‘placed/beneficial’)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (भक्ष्यम् इति विशेषण)

• भक्ष्यम्: food to be eaten
• भक्ष्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक; भक्ष् (धातु) + यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• बालादिपूर्वकम्: beginning with children etc. (i.e., after feeding them first)
• बालादिपूर्वकम्: Qualifier (Manner/क्रम)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाल + आदि + पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (भक्ष्यम् इति विशेषण); ‘बालादि’ इति समाहार-निर्देशः

• आपोशानेन: with sipping of water (ācamana)
• आपोशानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आपोशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• उपरिष्टात्: from above/at the top
• उपरिष्टात्: Adhikarana (Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरिष्टात् (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• अधस्तात्: from below/at the bottom
• अधस्तात्: Adhikarana (Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधस्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphasis particle)

• भुज्यते: is eaten/should be eaten
• भुज्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the dialogue framework of the Garuda Purana)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Eat in moderation; food should be well-cooked and wholesome; begin with appropriate items for dependents/children; perform āpośana and keep water as prescribed.

Vedantic Theme: Regulation of senses (indriya-nigraha) supports sattva and steadiness of mind; bodily discipline as support for higher pursuits.

Application: Adopt portion control; prioritize digestible, wholesome cooking; observe a brief water-sipping/mindfulness prelude; keep water available during meals; serve children/dependents appropriately first.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household meal setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.15-19

FAQs

What is the importance of āpośana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats āpośana (ritual sipping of water) as a prerequisite to eating, marking the meal as a disciplined, purified act rather than mere consumption.

How does this verse relate to dharma in daily life?

It frames eating as a dharmic practice: moderation, wholesome preparation, correct order, and ritual mindfulness together uphold bodily health and ritual purity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Eat in moderation, prefer well-cooked wholesome food, and begin meals with a mindful purification step (traditional āpośana or a brief moment of intention and cleanliness).