Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

कृत्वा मूत्रपुरीषन्तु द्रव्यहस्तो न दुष्यति / भूमौनिः क्षैप्य तद्द्रव्यं शौचं कृत्वा समाहितः

Transliteration

kṛtvā mūtrapurīṣantu dravyahasto na duṣyati / bhūmauniḥ kṣaipya taddravyaṃ śaucaṃ kṛtvā samāhitaḥ

Translation

Nach dem Wasserlassen oder Stuhlgang wird man nicht schon dadurch unrein, dass man etwas in der Hand hält. Lege es auf den Boden, vollziehe dann śauca (Reinigung) und bleibe gesammelt und achtsam.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund) — 'having done'

• मूत्रपुरीषम्: urine and feces
• मूत्रपुरीषम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूत्र + पुरीष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; समासः द्वन्द्व (मूत्रं च पुरीषं च)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयबोधक अव्यय (particle: 'but/indeed')

• द्रव्यहस्तः: one whose hand has (impure) matter
• द्रव्यहस्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्रव्य + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (द्रव्यं हस्ते यस्य/द्रव्ययुक्तहस्तः)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• दुष्यति: becomes defiled
• दुष्यति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दुष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मौनिः: a silent person (observing silence)
• मौनिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मौनिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• क्षैप्य: having thrown away
• क्षैप्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा/ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (Gerund; ल्यप्) — 'having thrown/cast'

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (द्रव्यम्)

• द्रव्यम्: the (impure) substance
• द्रव्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• शौचम्: purification/cleaning
• शौचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (Gerund)

• समाहितः: composed, attentive
• समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समाहित (कृदन्त; सम्-आ-धा (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) — 'composed/collected'

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Impurity is not automatic from merely holding an object during elimination; proper sequence—set it down, perform śauca, remain attentive—restores fitness.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva through niyama (śauca) and smṛti (recollected attention); external order supports inner steadiness.

Application: Follow a clear hygiene protocol: pause tasks, set items aside safely, wash/clean appropriately, then resume work with a settled mind.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/field setting implied (ground as support)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222.28–32 (continuing śauca/prāyaścitta rules)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of śauca (purification) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames purity as a matter of correct procedure: set aside what is in the hand, then perform śauca; impurity is resolved through prescribed cleansing rather than panic or confusion.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana teachings on dharma?

It teaches practical dharma for daily life—maintaining ritual cleanliness and mental composure—showing that right conduct includes both external purification and a collected mind.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a clear hygiene routine after using the toilet, avoid spreading contamination by handling items, and return to duties calmly after cleaning.