Shloka 18

Prāyaścitta for Food-Contact, Social Contact, Aśauca Periods, and Formal Penance Systems

Devanagari script

ये प्रत्यवसिता विप्रा वज्राग्निपवनादिषु / अन्नपानादि संगृह्य चिकीर्षन्ति गृहान्तरम्

Transliteration

ye pratyavasitā viprā vajrāgnipavanādiṣu / annapānādi saṃgṛhya cikīrṣanti gṛhāntaram

Translation

Jene Brahmanen, die inmitten von Unheil wie Blitzschlag, Feuer und heftigen Winden fest entschlossen sind zu handeln—nachdem sie Vorräte wie Speise und Trank gesammelt haben—trachten danach, in eine andere Wohnstätte zu ziehen.

Word by Word

• ये: who (those)
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• प्रत्यवसिताः: having resolved/decided
• प्रत्यवसिताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रति+अव+√सद् (धातु) → प्रत्यवसित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle), विशेषण

• विप्राः: Brahmins
• विप्राः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• वज्राग्निपवनादिषु: in (matters like) thunderbolt, fire, wind, etc.
• वज्राग्निपवनादिषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र + अग्नि + पवन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; समासः—वज्र-अग्नि-पवन-आदि (इत्यादि) + -षु

• अन्नपानादि: food, drink, etc.
• अन्नपानादि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न + पान + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—अन्न-पान-आदि (food, drink, etc.)

• संगृह्य: having collected
• संगृह्य: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्+√ग्रह् (धातु) → संगृह्य (क्त्वान्त/अव्ययकृदन्त)
• Form: अव्यय; क्त्वान्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• चिकीर्षन्ति: wish to do/intend
• चिकीर्षन्ति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) (desiderative/सन्नन्त: चिकीर्ष)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; सन्नन्त-धातु (desiderative)

• गृहान्तरम्: another house/inside a house
• गृहान्तरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—गृह-अन्तर (another house)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: आपद्-धर्म (conduct in times of calamity) with prudent preparation and relocation.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as situational duty (yathā-śakti) while preserving sattva and social order.

Application: Maintain emergency provisions; prioritize safety; relocate when conditions threaten life and ritual stability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/settlement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222 (context: śauca/prāyaścitta and conduct in contingencies)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins (Vipras)
• Agni
• Vayu

FAQs

What is the importance of preparedness in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights steady resolve and practical preparedness—gathering essentials and relocating when necessary—as a dharmic response to danger rather than panic or negligence.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader themes?

Although the text often discusses death, karma, and post-death states, it also teaches practical dharma: safeguarding life and maintaining right conduct during calamities is part of righteous living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep essentials ready, act decisively in emergencies (fire/storm), and prioritize responsible relocation and protection of dependents while staying calm and ethical.