Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

दक्षिकाले विवाहादौ देवद्विजनिमन्त्रिते / पूर्वसंकल्पिते वापि नाशौचं मृतसूतके

Transliteration

dakṣikāle vivāhādau devadvijanimantrite / pūrvasaṃkalpite vāpi nāśaucaṃ mṛtasūtake

Translation

Zu einer glückverheißenden Zeit — etwa bei Hochzeit und ähnlichen Riten — wenn die Götter und die Zweimalgeborenen (Brāhmaṇas) eingeladen sind, oder wenn der Ritus zuvor durch saṅkalpa feierlich festgelegt wurde, besteht kein aśauca (rituelle Unreinheit), selbst wenn mṛta-sūtaka (Unreinheit durch Tod oder Geburt) eintritt.

Word by Word

• दक्षि-काले: at the southern time (dakṣiṇāyana period)
• दक्षि-काले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षि-काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दक्षिणस्य कालः)

• विवाह-आदौ: at (the time of) marriage etc.
• विवाह-आदौ: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवाह (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समासः (विवाहादौ = विवाहे आदौ)

• देव-द्विज-निमन्त्रिते: when gods and twice-born are invited
• देव-द्विज-निमन्त्रिते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + निमन्त्रित (कृदन्त; √मन्त्र् (धातु) + नि उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण; समासः तत्पुरुषः (देवद्विजैः निमन्त्रिते)

• पूर्व-संकल्पिते: when pre-arranged / previously resolved
• पूर्व-संकल्पिते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + संकल्पित (कृदन्त; √कॢप्/कल्प् (धातु) + सम् उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; कर्मधारयः (पूर्वं संकल्पिते)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-निपात (also/even)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• अशौचम्: impurity (mourning impurity)
• अशौचम्: Karma/Pradhana (Predicate/कर्म-प्राय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अशौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; वाक्ये विधेय-नाम (predicate noun)

• मृत-सूतके: in the death-related birth/death impurity period
• मृत-सूतके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + सूतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मृतस्य सूतके)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aśauca exceptions: when an auspicious rite is underway or pre-resolved (pūrva-saṅkalpita), incidental mṛta/sūtaka does not obstruct the sacrament.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as niyati for social-ritual harmony; intention (saṅkalpa) and context shape adhikāra without negating compassion or order.

Application: In time-sensitive saṃskāras (e.g., marriage), follow śāstric exceptions: maintain the rite’s continuity if properly initiated/invited, while observing appropriate post-rite precautions per local dharma guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (vivāha-maṇḍapa, yajña-śālā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222 (aśauca/sūtaka-prakaraṇa context)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Dvijas (Brāhmaṇas)
• Aśauca
• Sūtaka

FAQs

What is the importance of aśauca (ritual impurity) exceptions in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that dharma recognizes practical exceptions: once a major rite like marriage is fixed by saṅkalpa and invitations are issued, the rite is not automatically blocked by sudden mṛta-sūtaka.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

It clarifies that while death/birth impurity normally restricts ritual activity, certain pre-committed auspicious ceremonies may proceed, showing how purity rules are applied contextually within dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If an unavoidable family death/birth occurs near a scheduled major rite, consult qualified priests: the Garuda Purana framework allows dharmic continuity for pre-sanctioned ceremonies while still honoring necessary rites and sensitivities.