Shloka 44

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

नाचक्षीत धयन्तीं गां नाद्वारेणाविशेत्क्रचित् / न राज्ञः प्रतिगृह्णायाल्लुब्धस्योच्छास्त्रवर्तिनः

Transliteration

nācakṣīta dhayantīṃ gāṃ nādvāreṇāviśetkracit / na rājñaḥ pratigṛhṇāyāllubdhasyocchāstravartinaḥ

Translation

Man soll die Kuh nicht ansehen, wenn sie ihr Kalb säugt. Man soll ein Haus nicht auf unziemliche Weise durch die Tür betreten. Und man soll keine Gaben von einem gierigen König annehmen, der gegen die Lehren der Śāstra handelt.

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• ācakṣīta: should look at/observe
• ācakṣīta: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-cakṣ (आ+चक्ष् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• dhayantīm: suckling (milk-giving)
• dhayantīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dhay (धय् धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle) धयन्ती; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• gām: a cow
• gām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (गो प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• advāreṇa: by a non-door/through an improper way
• advāreṇa: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: advāra (अद्वार प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘अद्वार’ (not by the door/through a wrong passage)

• āviśet: should enter
• āviśet: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-viś (आ+विश् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• kracit: ever/anywhere
• kracit: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kvacit/kracit (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• rājñaḥ: of a king
• rājñaḥ: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (राजन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन

• pratigṛhṇāyāt: should accept (a gift)
• pratigṛhṇāyāt: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-grah (प्रति+ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• lubdhasya: of a greedy one
• lubdhasya: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lubdha (कृदन्त; लुभ् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ucchāstra-vartinaḥ: of one who follows improper teachings
• ucchāstra-vartinaḥ: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ut/uc (उत्/उच् उपसर्गार्थ) + śāstra (शास्त्र प्रातिपदिक) + vartin (वर्तिन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘उच्छास्त्रवर्तिन्’ (one who follows improper/false śāstra)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Respect the sacred and the vulnerable; observe proper thresholds/entry etiquette; reject gifts that compromise dharma when offered by greedy, śāstra-violating authority.

Vedantic Theme: Non-attachment to tainted gain; purity of livelihood (śuddha-ājīva) supporting sattva.

Application: Treat animals with non-intrusive respect; follow household/temple etiquette; practice ethical sourcing—decline benefits tied to exploitation or corruption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: cowshed/house entrance; royal court (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (sadācāra and dāna-śuddhi)

FAQs

What is the importance of rejecting gifts from unrighteous rulers in the Garuda Purana?

This verse warns that receiving gifts from a greedy, anti-śāstra king compromises one’s dharma and links the recipient to the donor’s unrighteousness.

How does this verse relate to karmic purity in daily life?

It frames purity as practical restraint—avoiding improper actions and refusing tainted wealth—so one’s livelihood and conduct remain aligned with śāstra.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid unethical money or favors, especially from corrupt authorities; choose clean sources of support and maintain disciplined, respectful conduct in everyday settings.