Shloka 37

Devanagari script

शिरः सुधौतं चरणौ सुमार्जितौ वराङ्गनासेवनमल्पभोजनम् / अनग्नशायित्वमपर्वमैथुनं चिरप्रनष्टां श्रियमानयन्ति षट्

Transliteration

śiraḥ sudhautaṃ caraṇau sumārjitau varāṅganāsevanamalpabhojanam / anagnaśāyitvamaparvamaithunaṃ cirapranaṣṭāṃ śriyamānayanti ṣaṭ

Translation

Keeping the head well washed, the feet well cleaned, associating with virtuous women, eating sparingly, sleeping without fire (luxurious heating), and avoiding sexual union on forbidden days—these six practices bring back prosperity that had long been lost.

Word by Word

• śiraḥ: head
• śiraḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg)

• su-dhautam: well washed
• su-dhautam: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + dhāv (धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-प्राय (su-); क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (well-washed)

• caraṇau: feet
• caraṇau: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), द्विवचन (nom/acc dual)

• su-mārjitau: well cleaned
• su-mārjitau: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय) + mṛj (धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), द्विवचन; विशेषण (well-cleaned)

• vara-aṅganā-sevanam: service/attendance of a noble woman
• vara-aṅganā-sevanam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vara (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅganā (प्रातिपदिक) + sevana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg)

• alpa-bhojanam: little eating
• alpa-bhojanam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: alpa (प्रातिपदिक) + bhojana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• anagna-śāyitvam: sleeping without fire (no hearth)
• anagna-śāyitvam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: an-agni (प्रातिपदिक) + śāyitva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• a-parva-maithunam: sexual union not on festival/forbidden days
• a-parva-maithunam: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: a (नञ्) + parva (प्रातिपदिक) + maithuna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नञ्-तत्पुरुषसमास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• cira-pranaṣṭām: long lost
• cira-pranaṣṭām: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cira (प्रातिपदिक) + pra-naṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक/क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; क्त-कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण

• śriyam: fortune/prosperity
• śriyam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन (accusative singular)

• ānayanti: bring
• ānayanti: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-nī (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (present, 3rd pl)

• ṣaṭ: six
• ṣaṭ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣaṣ (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याशब्द; प्रथमा (1), बहुवचनार्थे अव्ययवत् (indeclinable-like numeral used as count)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Six practices—clean head, clean feet, good company, moderate eating, simple sleeping, and sexual restraint on prohibited days—restore long-lost Śrī.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-building disciplines invite grace; ethical embodiment supports both artha (prosperity) and spiritual steadiness.

Application: Adopt a small daily regimen: bathing/cleanliness, choose uplifting relationships, practice mitāhāra, simplify comforts, and observe calendrical/ethical sexual restraint.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: household and daily-life settings

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.35-36 (causes of Lakṣmī’s departure); Garuda Purana 1.114.38 (repelling Alakṣmī)

Characters & Entities

• Lakṣmī (Śrī)

FAQs

What is the importance of purity and restraint in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse links external cleanliness and inner restraint (moderate food and regulated sexuality) with the restoration of Śrī—prosperity and well-being—showing that dhārmic habits are considered direct causes of stability and fortune.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on karma?

It presents everyday ācāra (right conduct) as karma that produces tangible results—prosperity and harmony—implying that disciplined choices steadily reshape one’s destiny.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain personal hygiene, eat moderately, keep wholesome company, practice sexual discipline (especially on observance days), and reduce dependence on indulgent comforts—small daily vows that support health, clarity, and prosperity.