Shloka 3

Vrata-Niyama: Fasting Purity, Brahmakūrcha, Naktāhāra, and Kāla-Nirṇaya

Ritual Timing

Devanagari script

स्त्रीशूद्रपतितानां तु वर्जयेदभिभाषणम् / पवित्राणि च पञ्चैव जुहुयाच्चैव शक्तितः

Transliteration

strīśūdrapatitānāṃ tu varjayedabhibhāṣaṇam / pavitrāṇi ca pañcaiva juhuyāccaiva śaktitaḥ

Translation

In the course of ritual observance, one should avoid conversing with women, Śūdras, and the fallen; and, according to one’s capacity, one should duly offer into the sacred fire the five purifying oblations.

Word by Word

• स्त्री-शूद्र-पतितानाम्: of women, Śūdras, and outcast/fallen persons
• स्त्री-शूद्र-पतितानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पतित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-समाहार (collective), षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थक (but/indeed)

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृज्/वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• अभिभाषणम्: speaking to / conversation
• अभिभाषणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि-भाष् (धातु) + अन (प्रत्यय) → अभिभाषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• पवित्राणि: purifying (items/offerings)
• पवित्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याविशेषण (numeral adjective), अव्ययवत्/अविकारी (indeclinable-like in many uses), here qualifying neuter plural

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण (emphatic particle)

• जुहुयात्: should offer (into fire)
• जुहुयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण (emphatic particle)

• शक्तितः: according to one’s capacity
• शक्तितः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb), अर्थः: यथाशक्ति (according to ability)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual purity (śauca) and disciplined conduct (niyama) as supports for effective expiation and sanctification through pañca-pavitra oblations.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a prerequisite for higher knowledge; karma-kāṇḍa as a purifier when performed with restraint.

Application: During vrata/śrauta-smārta observance, minimize distracting/impurity-associated interactions and complete the prescribed purifying offerings according to capacity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (agni-kunda/vedi)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/ācāra sections): vrata-niyama and śauca rules around homa and expiation; Garuda Purana: pañcagavya/śuddhi discussions in ritual contexts

FAQs

What is the importance of purity rules in Garuda Purana rites?

This verse emphasizes maintaining ritual focus and purity by avoiding distracting or ritually unsuitable conversation, while prioritizing prescribed purificatory offerings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that correct rites and purity disciplines aid post-death welfare by ensuring offerings are properly made and efficacious.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

During any sacred observance (prayer, homa, śrāddha), minimize distractions and complete the core purificatory acts sincerely, within your means.