Shloka 16
Varṇāśrama-ācāra, Aśauca (Sūtaka) Regulations, and Prāyaścitta with Funeral-Rite Notes
यदि गर्भो विपद्यत स्त्रवते वापि योषितः / यावन्मासं स्थितो गर्भस्तावद्दिनानि सूतकम्
yadi garbho vipadyata stravate vāpi yoṣitaḥ / yāvanmāsaṃ sthito garbhastāvaddināni sūtakam
Wenn der Fötus zugrunde geht oder eine Frau eine Fehlgeburt erleidet, dann dauert die Zeit des sūtaka (ritueller Unreinheit) so viele Tage, wie der Fötus Monate im Mutterleib verweilte.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)
Timing: After miscarriage/fetal demise: sūtaka for as many days as gestational months.
Concept: Sūtaka duration after fetal demise/miscarriage is proportional to gestational months (as many days as months).
Vedantic Theme: Proportionality and contextual dharma (deśa-kāla-pātra) balancing ritual order with compassion for bodily trauma.
Application: Count gestational months and observe corresponding days of sūtaka; allow rest and recovery, and resume rites after completion.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: household/maternity space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.107.15 on stillborn/infant rites; surrounding śauca rules in 1.107.12–14
FAQs
This verse frames sūtaka as a time-bound dharmic restriction after certain bodily events, prescribing a clear duration so household rites and purity-based observances can be resumed properly.
It states that if the fetus is lost (including miscarriage), the sūtaka period is counted in days equal to the number of months the pregnancy had progressed.
Use the verse as a traditional guideline for determining a short period of ritual rest and limited religious functions after pregnancy loss, while seeking appropriate counsel from one’s family tradition and priestly practice.