Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

निवासमुख्या वर्णानां धर्माचाराः प्रकीर्तिताः / सत्यं यज्ञस्तपो दानमेतद्धर्मस्य लक्षणम्

Transliteration

nivāsamukhyā varṇānāṃ dharmācārāḥ prakīrtitāḥ / satyaṃ yajñastapo dānametaddharmasya lakṣaṇam

Translation

The righteous codes of conduct for the social orders—beginning with proper dwelling and livelihood—have been proclaimed. Truth, yajña (sacrificial worship), tapas (austerity), and dāna (charitable giving): these are the marks of Dharma.

Word by Word

• निवासमुख्याः: chiefly (those) related to residence
• निवासमुख्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निवास (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण—‘धर्माचाराः’ इत्यस्य

• वर्णानाम्: of the social classes (varṇas)
• वर्णानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• धर्माचाराः: religious duties and conduct
• धर्माचाराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• प्रकीर्तिताः: have been proclaimed
• प्रकीर्तिताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग—‘have been proclaimed’

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• यज्ञः: sacrifice
• यज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दानम्: charity
• दानम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘लक्षणम्’ इत्यस्य

• धर्मस्य: of dharma
• धर्मस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• लक्षणम्: characteristic/mark
• लक्षणम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma is characterized by satya, yajña, tapaḥ, and dāna; righteous conduct is articulated for social orders with proper livelihood and dwelling.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as preparatory purification (sādhana-catuṣṭaya support) leading toward jñāna; alignment of conduct with ṛta/satya.

Application: Practice truthfulness, maintain disciplined worship/offerings, cultivate austerity/self-restraint, and give charity regularly as measurable markers of one’s dharmic life.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma-kāṇḍa/Ācāra sections): recurring lakṣaṇas of dharma—satya, dāna, tapaḥ, śauca; Garuda Purana: śrāddha chapters often reiterate dāna and satya as sustaining dharma

Characters & Entities

• Varnas
• Dharma
• Yajna

FAQs

What is the importance of Dharma-lakshana (marks of Dharma) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines Dharma through four practical pillars—truth, sacrifice/worship, austerity, and charity—presenting them as the recognizable signs of a dharmic life.

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

By emphasizing satya, yajña, tapa, and dāna, the verse points to conduct that purifies karma—supporting a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice truthfulness, maintain a disciplined spiritual routine, offer worship/service selflessly, and give charity—these are presented here as concrete indicators of living in Dharma.