Shloka 31

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

उभयोर्द्वे च दातव्ये मूत्रशौचं प्रचक्षते / एकां लिङ्गे गुदे तिस्त्रस्तथा वामकरे दश

Transliteration

ubhayordve ca dātavye mūtraśaucaṃ pracakṣate / ekāṃ liṅge gude tistrastathā vāmakare daśa

Translation

For both hands, two rinses are prescribed—this is declared to be the purification after urination. One rinse is given for the genital organ, three for the anus, and likewise ten for the left hand.

Word by Word

• उभयोः: of both
• उभयोः: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), द्विवचन ("of both")

• द्वे: two
• द्वे: Karta (Predicate-nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• दातव्ये: to be applied/given
• दातव्ये: Karta (Predicate-nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दा (धातु) + तव्य (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; तव्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive: "to be given")

• मूत्रशौचम्: cleansing after urination
• मूत्रशौचम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूत्र + शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः (मूत्रस्य शौचम्)

• प्रचक्षते: they declare
• प्रचक्षते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• एकाम्: one (portion)
• एकाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• लिङ्गे: on the genital organ
• लिङ्गे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• गुदे: on the anus
• गुदे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• तिस्रः: three
• तिस्रः: Karta (Predicate-nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; संख्याविशेषणम्

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चयवाचक अव्यय ("thus/likewise")

• वामकरे: on the left hand
• वामकरे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः (वामः करः)

• दश: ten
• दश: Karta (Predicate-nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः; (प्रथमा/द्वितीया) बहुवचनार्थे प्रयोगः ("ten")

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Quantified shaucha: prescribed numbers of rinses/cleansings for hands and specific body parts after urination/defecation-related cleansing.

Vedantic Theme: Regulated action (niyama) and purity as preparatory discipline for worship and contemplation.

Application: Adopt thorough, consistent hygiene steps; treat cleanliness as non-negotiable before prayer, study, or communal interaction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: post-urination cleansing setting (near water/cleansing area)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.30 (earth portions)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of mūtra-śauca (purification after urination) in Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily cleansing as a dharmic discipline: specific rinsing counts are prescribed so a person remains fit for prayer, rites, and other sacred duties.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on dharma and ritual conduct?

Garuda Purana repeatedly emphasizes śauca (purity) as a foundation for karma and ritual efficacy; here it codifies practical, count-based cleansing rules as part of daily dharmic living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain conscientious hygiene and a mindful approach to cleanliness, especially before worship or ritual acts—treating purity as both physical discipline and ethical attentiveness.