Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 13

Nimi Questions the Yogendras: Varṇāśrama’s Purpose, Ritualism’s Fall, and Yuga-Avatāras with Kali-yuga Saṅkīrtana

यद् घ्राणभक्षो विहित: सुराया- स्तथा पशोरालभनं न हिंसा । एवं व्यवाय: प्रजया न रत्या इमं विशुद्धं न विदु: स्वधर्मम् ॥ १३ ॥

yad ghrāṇa-bhakṣo vihitaḥ surāyās tathā paśor ālabhanaṁ na hiṁsā evaṁ vyavāyaḥ prajayā na ratyā imaṁ viśuddhaṁ na viduḥ sva-dharmam

Nach vedischer Vorschrift soll der im Opfer dargebrachte Wein später nur durch Riechen genossen, nicht getrunken werden. Ebenso ist das Opfer eines Tieres erlaubt, doch keineswegs massenhaftes Schlachten. Auch Sexualität ist in der Ehe zur Zeugung von Kindern gestattet, nicht zur Lust; dennoch verstehen wenig Einsichtige diese reine Pflicht nicht.

yatthat which
yat:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Rootyad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd), Singular; relative pronoun introducing clause
ghrāṇa-bhakṣaḥsniffing (as intake)
ghrāṇa-bhakṣaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootghrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; compound: घ्राणस्य भक्षः (sniffing/olfactory intake)
vihitaḥis prescribed
vihitaḥ:
Karta-viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृविशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootvi√dhā (धातु) + kta (कृदन्त)
FormPast passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; predicate with ghrāṇa-bhakṣaḥ
surāyāḥof liquor
surāyāḥ:
Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Rootsurā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular
tathāsimilarly
tathā:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottathā (अव्यय)
FormAdverb/conjunction (तुल्यताबोधक)
paśoḥof an animal
paśoḥ:
Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
TypeNoun
Rootpaśu (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular
ālabhanamslaughtering/immolation (taking for sacrifice)
ālabhanam:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootā√labh (धातु) + lyuṭ (कृदन्त)
FormNeuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; action noun (भाववाचक)
nanot
na:
Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
FormNegation particle (निषेध)
hiṁsāviolence
hiṁsā:
Pradhāna-vākya-predicative (विधेय)
TypeNoun
Roothiṁsā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; predicate noun
evamthus
evam:
Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootevam (अव्यय)
FormAdverb (प्रकारवाचक)
vyavāyaḥsexual intercourse
vyavāyaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootvyavāya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular
prajayāby/for progeny
prajayā:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootprajā (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular
nanot
na:
Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
FormNegation particle (निषेध)
ratyāby lust/pleasure
ratyā:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootrati (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular
imamthis
imam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootidam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying sva-dharmam
viśuddhampure
viśuddham:
Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootviśuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying sva-dharmam
nanot
na:
Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootna (अव्यय)
FormNegation particle (निषेध)
viduḥthey know
viduḥ:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√vid (धातु)
FormPerfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural
sva-dharmamone’s own duty
sva-dharmam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootsva (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; compound: स्वस्य धर्मः

Madhvācārya has given the following statement in regard to animal sacrifice:

K
Karabhajana Rishi
K
King Nimi

FAQs

This verse states that sexual union (vyavāya) is meant to be regulated for producing children (prajā), not pursued merely for sensual enjoyment (rati).

It uses them as examples of regulated concessions: liquor is restricted for the addicted, and sacrificial animal offering is framed as ritual regulation rather than ordinary violence—illustrating that dharma purifies by control, not indulgence.

Adopt conscious regulation: avoid intoxication, reject cruelty, and treat sexuality responsibly—guided by duty, self-control, and spiritual purpose rather than impulse.