Shloka 5

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

Ritual Timing

Devanagari script

कांस्यं माषं मसूरं चचणकं कोरदूषकम् / शाकं मधु परान्नं च वर्जयेदुपवासवान्

Transliteration

kāṃsyaṃ māṣaṃ masūraṃ cacaṇakaṃ koradūṣakam / śākaṃ madhu parānnaṃ ca varjayedupavāsavān

Translation

One observing the fast (upavāsa) should avoid: eating from bronze vessels, black gram (māṣa), lentils (masūra), chickpeas (caṇaka), kodrava grain, leafy vegetables, honey, and cooked or seasoned prepared foods.

Word by Word

• कांस्यम्: bronze (vessel/metal)
• कांस्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• माषम्: black gram
• माषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मसूरम्: lentil
• मसूरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मसूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

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

• चणकम्: chickpea
• चणकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चणक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• कोरदूषकम्: koradūṣaka (a grain/food item)
• कोरदूषकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोरदूषक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• शाकम्: vegetables/greens
• शाकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मधु: honey
• मधु: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• परान्नम्: food cooked by others
• परान्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

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

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

• उपवासवान्: one who is fasting
• उपवासवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, instructive dharma context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Āhāra-niyama during upavāsa: avoidance of certain grains/pulses, prepared foods, and bronze vessels to preserve vrata purity and austerity.

Vedantic Theme: Āhāra-śuddhi supporting sattva and steadiness of mind; restraint as a limb of self-mastery.

Application: During a fast/vrata, follow the specified avoid-list; keep diet simple, non-indulgent, and aligned with the vow’s intent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: household dining/vrata setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata-bhojana rules and prohibited items during specific fasts; Garuda Purana: śauca and vessel-material considerations in ritual contexts

FAQs

What is the importance of dietary restraint (upavāsa-niyama) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames fasting as disciplined observance: merit comes not only from skipping meals but from avoiding specific foods and indulgent preparations that are considered unsuitable for vrata-purity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the purāṇic theme that conduct (ācāra)—including purity in vrata and food—builds punya (merit), which influences post-death outcomes described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If you keep a fast or vrata, simplify the diet: avoid rich prepared foods and follow a consistent rule-set, treating fasting as ethical and sensory discipline rather than a mere dietary trend.