Shloka 13

Āyuḥ-kṣaya by Vikarma; Impermanence of the Body; Aśauca and Child Śrāddha Procedures; Dāna as Remedy

Devanagari script

अश्रद्दधानमशुचिं नास्तिकं त्यक्तमङ्गलम् / परद्रोहानृतरं ब्राह्मणं यत (म) मन्दिरम्

Transliteration

aśraddadhānamaśuciṃ nāstikaṃ tyaktamaṅgalam / paradrohānṛtaraṃ brāhmaṇaṃ yata (ma) mandiram

Translation

Ein Brahmane ohne Glauben, unrein, nāstika, der die glückverheißenden Observanzen aufgegeben hat und zu Schädigung anderer und Lüge neigt — seine Wohnung gilt als befleckter Ort, ungeeignet für heilige Handlungen.

Word by Word

• अश्रद्दधानम्: not having faith
• अश्रद्दधानम्: Visheshana (to ब्राह्मणम्/मन्दिरम् per context)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रद्-धा (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त) with अ- (निषेध)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• अशुचिम्: impure
• अशुचिम्: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• नास्तिकम्: an atheist
• नास्तिकम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नास्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; (व्यक्तिवाचक)

• त्यक्तमङ्गलम्: devoid of auspiciousness
• त्यक्तमङ्गलम्: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्यक्त + मङ्गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (having abandoned auspiciousness)

• परद्रोह: harm to others
• परद्रोह: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर + द्रोह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, (समासाङ्ग; next word forms compound)

• अनृतरम्: more untruthful
• अनृतरम्: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनृत (प्रातिपदिक) + तरप् (तुलनार्थ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तर-प्रत्ययान्त (comparative)

• परद्रोहानृतरम्: harmful-to-others and very untruthful
• परद्रोहानृतरम्: Visheshana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परद्रोह + अनृतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• ब्राह्मणम्: a Brahmin
• ब्राह्मणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• यत: which/that (uncertain in context)
• यत: Sambandha (Relative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; पाठसंदेह (likely intended: यत् = which/that)

• म: me (if read)
• म: Karma (if read)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मा/अहम् (सर्वनाम; enclitic)
• Form: प्रथमपुरुष-एकवचन सर्वनाम, द्वितीया (accusative) एन्क्लिटिक; पाठसंदेह (given as (म))

• मन्दिरम्: house, dwelling, temple
• मन्दिरम्: Karma/Adhikarana (context-dependent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्दिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Loss of śraddhā, śauca, satya, and ahiṃsā in a brāhmaṇa collapses the sanctity of his space and role.

Vedantic Theme: Adharma as inner impurity (mala) that obstructs knowledge and devotion; satya-śauca as supports for sattva and spiritual fitness.

Application: Cultivate faith, cleanliness, truthfulness, and non-harm; keep sacred spaces aligned with conduct; repair through confession, restitution, and disciplined practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/sacral space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: emphasis on śauca, satya, and śraddhā as prerequisites for ritual efficacy (thematic parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana

FAQs

What is the importance of śraddhā (faith) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats śraddhā as a core qualification for dharmic living; without it, even a socially respected identity (like “brāhmaṇa”) becomes spiritually disqualifying and the home is considered unfit for sacred observances.

How does this verse relate to karma and the afterlife themes of the Garuda Purana?

Preta Kanda repeatedly links one’s moral qualities—truthfulness, non-harm, purity, and reverence—to karmic outcomes; this verse highlights the ethical causes (lying, harming others, impiety) that lead to spiritual downfall rather than protection by mere status.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize truthfulness, non-injury, cleanliness, and sincere reverence in daily life; avoid using religious identity as a substitute for ethical conduct, especially when performing or hosting rituals.