Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 67

Devanagari script

बालातपं दिवास्वापं त्यजेद्दीर्घं जिजीविषुः । स्नात्वा न मार्जयेद्गात्रं विसृजेन्न शिखां पथि

Transliteration

bālātapaṃ divāsvāpaṃ tyajeddīrghaṃ jijīviṣuḥ | snātvā na mārjayedgātraṃ visṛjenna śikhāṃ pathi

Translation

Wer langes Leben begehrt, meide die brennende Sonne und den Schlaf am Tage. Nach dem Bad soll man den Körper nicht übermäßig reiben und auf dem Weg den heiligen Haarschopf (Śikhā) nicht lose herabhängen lassen.

Word by Word

• bāla-ātapam: early/mild sun-heat
• bāla-ātapam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bāla (प्रातिपदिक) + ātapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (बालः आतपः = अल्प/प्रातःकालीन आतपः)

• divā-svāpaṃ: daytime sleep
• divā-svāpaṃ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divā (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + svāpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (दिवायां स्वापः)

• tyajet: should abandon
• tyajet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tyaj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• dīrgham: for long; prolonged
• dīrgham: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Adverbial)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dīrgha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial accusative: ‘for long’)

• jijīviṣuḥ: one who wishes to live (long)
• jijīviṣuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jijīviṣu (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative-noun from √jīv (धातु))
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• snātvā: having bathed
• snātvā: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √snā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• mārjayet: should wipe/clean
• mārjayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √mṛj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• gātram: body/limbs
• gātram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• visṛjet: should let loose/leave
• visṛjet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√sṛj (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• śikhām: topknot/tuft of hair
• śikhām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śikhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• pathi: on the road
• pathi: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pathin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन (पथिन्-शब्द)

Speaker

Sūta (deduced: Brāhma Khaṇḍa didactic narration in Dharmāraṇya context)

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A pilgrim at dawn finishes river bathing, gently pats the body dry, ties the śikhā neatly, and walks under soft morning light; in contrast, the harsh midday sun is shown as something to avoid; the scene emphasizes healthful restraint.

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Longevity and steadiness arise from disciplined habits and respectful public conduct.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

No specific site is praised; the verse provides general ācāra suitable for pilgrims and householders alike.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

Post-bath discipline (snāna-related conduct) and behavioral restraints (avoid divāsvāpa, avoid improper hair looseness in public).