Shloka 10

Devanagari script

वैश्यानां चीरणं क्षौमं शूद्राणां शणवल्कजम् / कार्पासं पद्मजं चैव सर्वेषां शस्तमीश्वर

Transliteration

vaiśyānāṃ cīraṇaṃ kṣaumaṃ śūdrāṇāṃ śaṇavalkajam / kārpāsaṃ padmajaṃ caiva sarveṣāṃ śastamīśvara

Translation

Für die Vaiśya ist Leinenkleidung vorgeschrieben; für die Śūdra Kleidung aus Hanffaser und Bast. Baumwolle und Tuch aus Lotusfaser gelten ebenfalls als für alle geeignet, o Herr.

Word by Word

• वैश्यानाम्: of the Vaiśyas
• वैश्यानाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• चीरणम्: bark/rough cloth (cīra)
• चीरणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चीरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; वस्त्रविशेष

• क्षौमम्: linen
• क्षौमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षौम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• शूद्राणाम्: of the Śūdras
• शूद्राणाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध

• शणवल्कजम्: made of hemp/bark-fibre
• शणवल्कजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शण (प्रातिपदिक) + वल्क (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (शण-वल्कात् जातम्/शणवल्कसम्बन्धि)

• कार्पासम्: cotton
• कार्पासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्पास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• पद्मजम्: born from lotus (lotus-fibre)
• पद्मजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पद्मात् जातम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction: and)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (indeed)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all (classes)
• सर्वेषाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-शब्द (pronominal adjective used substantively)

• शस्तम्: commended/approved
• शस्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP-like adjective: praised/commended)

• ईश्वर: O Lord
• ईश्वर: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन; संबोधन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Appropriate dress as an external support for inner discipline and social-ritual harmony.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-śuddhi through regulated conduct; outer order aiding inner steadiness.

Application: Choose garments aligned with prescribed simplicity and suitability; prefer universally acceptable materials (cotton/lotus-fibre) when in doubt.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household/ritual wardrobe context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43.9 (materials); Garuda Purana 1.43.11-12 (deity-contemplation in thread)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Vaishya
• Shudra

FAQs

What is the importance of clothing material rules in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats clothing as part of āchāra (right conduct), prescribing materials considered appropriate and pure for different social duties, and also listing universally acceptable fabrics.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing disciplined conduct (āchāra) in embodied life, it supports dharmic living, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links to favorable post-death outcomes and reduced suffering after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt simplicity and cleanliness in dress, avoid ostentation, and treat daily lifestyle choices as part of ethical discipline aligned with one’s responsibilities.