Shloka 3

Bhikṣu-Dharma and the Paramahaṃsa Ideal

Devanagari script

सर्वारामं परिव्रज्य भिक्षार्थो ग्राममाश्रयेत् / अप्रमत्तश्चरेद्भैक्ष्यं सायाह्ने नाभिलक्षितः

Transliteration

sarvārāmaṃ parivrajya bhikṣārtho grāmamāśrayet / apramattaścaredbhaikṣyaṃ sāyāhne nābhilakṣitaḥ

Translation

Having wandered away from all places of pleasure, one seeking alms should resort to a village; remaining vigilant, he should go for bhikṣā in the late afternoon or evening, without drawing attention to himself.

Word by Word

• sarva-ārāmaṃ: all enjoyments/pleasure-grounds
• sarva-ārāmaṃ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + ārāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—सर्वान् आरामान् (all pleasures/parks)

• parivrajya: having renounced/wandered forth
• parivrajya: Kriya (Absolutive/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari√vraj (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund)

• bhikṣā-arthaḥ: seeking alms
• bhikṣā-arthaḥ: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhikṣā (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—भिक्षायाः अर्थः (for alms)

• grāmam: village
• grāmam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: grāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• āśrayet: should resort to
• āśrayet: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā√śri (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• apramattaḥ: vigilant, not negligent
• apramattaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + pramatta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √mad)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; नञ्-समास/नकारार्थ (not careless)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• caret: should move about/practice
• caret: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: car (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• bhaikṣyaṃ: alms-food, begging
• bhaikṣyaṃ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhaikṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• sāya-ahne: in the evening
• sāya-ahne: Adhikaraṇa (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāya (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययार्थ) + ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; समासः—सायं अह्नि (in the evening time)

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation)

• abhilakṣitaḥ: noticed/recognized
• abhilakṣitaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhi√lakṣ (धातु) + ta (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A mendicant should abandon pleasure-seeking, approach a village for alms, remain vigilant (apramatta), and beg at an unobtrusive time without seeking notice.

Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya and aparigraha: minimizing ego-display and sensory entanglement.

Application: Keep a low profile in spiritual practice; choose routines that reduce temptation and attention-seeking; practice mindful vigilance in daily conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: settlement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical instructions on restraint and humility (general thematic link)

FAQs

What is the importance of discreet alms-begging (bhaikṣya) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames bhiksha as a disciplined, low-profile practice: the renunciate minimizes attachment, avoids display, and sustains the body without turning spirituality into social attention.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the soul’s upward path by prescribing detachment and vigilance—qualities that reduce karmic entanglement and purify one’s life toward liberation rather than worldly reward.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice simplicity and restraint: take only what is needed, avoid performative religiosity, and cultivate alertness (apramāda) in daily choices.