Shloka 90

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

Devanagari script

वैशेषिकं धनं दृष्टं वैश्यस्यापि विलक्षणम् / कृषिगोरक्षवाणिज्यं शूद्रस्यैभ्यस्त्वनुग्रहात्

Transliteration

vaiśeṣikaṃ dhanaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ vaiśyasyāpi vilakṣaṇam / kṛṣigorakṣavāṇijyaṃ śūdrasyaibhyastvanugrahāt

Translation

A distinct form of wealth is indeed seen as especially characteristic of the Vaiśya: agriculture, protection of cattle, and trade. The Śūdra too may pursue these, through the favor and allowance of those (higher orders).

Word by Word

• वैशेषिकम्: special/particular
• वैशेषिकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैशेषिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• धनम्: wealth
• धनम्: Karma/Pratipādya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• दृष्टम्: is regarded/seen
• दृष्टम्: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) → दृष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः

• वैश्यस्य: of a Vaishya
• वैश्यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपवादबोधक-अव्यय (particle)

• विलक्षणम्: distinct/different
• विलक्षणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• कृषिगोरक्षवाणिज्यम्: agriculture, cattle-protection, and trade
• कृषिगोरक्षवाणिज्यम्: Karma/Pratipādya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृषि + गो-रक्षा + वाणिज्य (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः/समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective dvandva; neuter sg)

• शूद्रस्य: of a Shudra
• शूद्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• एभ्यः: from these (occupations/means)
• एभ्यः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), बहुवचन (ablative plural: 'from these')

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषबोधक-अव्यय (particle: 'but/indeed')

• अनुग्रहात्: from favor/permission
• अनुग्रहात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुग्रह (प्रातिपदिक; अनु+ग्रह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन (ablative singular: 'due to/from favor')

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vaiśya’s distinctive wealth is rooted in agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade; śūdra may pursue these through the allowance/favor of higher orders.

Vedantic Theme: Svadharma and social interdependence; artha as service to collective order when aligned with duty.

Application: Choose livelihood aligned with aptitude and ethical norms; in mixed-role economies, ensure fair access and non-exploitative patronage relationships.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.87-89 (wealth types; brāhmaṇa/kṣatriya); Garuda Purana 1.213.91 (dvija restrictions in distress)

Characters & Entities

• Vaishya
• Shudra

FAQs

What is the importance of varna-dharma (occupational duty) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames righteous livelihood as part of dharma: it identifies trade-related prosperity as a hallmark of the Vaiśya and notes that agriculture, cattle-care, and commerce may extend to the Śūdra when supported/allowed within the social order.

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

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that ethical conduct begins with how one earns and lives; livelihood aligned with dharma becomes a foundation for merit (puṇya) that influences post-death outcomes discussed elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose honest work, avoid exploitation in trade, respect food and animal welfare (especially cattle-care), and treat livelihood as an ethical discipline—earning wealth through socially beneficial, responsible means.