Shloka 8

Yoga’s Limbs and Dharma as the Ground of Liberation

Devanagari script

द्विधा शौचं मृज्जलाभ्यां बाह्य भावादथान्तरात् / यदृच्छालाभतस्तुष्टिः सन्तोषः सुखलक्षणम्

Transliteration

dvidhā śaucaṃ mṛjjalābhyāṃ bāhya bhāvādathāntarāt / yadṛcchālābhatastuṣṭiḥ santoṣaḥ sukhalakṣaṇam

Translation

Purity is twofold: outward, by cleansing with earth (clay/ash) and water, and inward, by the purity of one’s disposition. Contentment (santoṣa)—being satisfied with what comes of its own accord—is the mark of true happiness.

Word by Word

• द्विधा: in two ways
• द्विधा: Prakāra (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विधा (अव्यय)
• Form: संख्यावाचक-प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: in two ways)

• शौचम्: purity/cleanliness
• शौचम्: Karta/Viśeṣya (Subject/topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; Nominative/Accusative singular (topic/predicate)

• मृट्: with earth/clay
• मृट्: Karaṇa (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृट् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), द्विवचन; Instrumental dual (as part of pair)

• जलाभ्याम्: with water
• जलाभ्याम्: Karaṇa (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), द्विवचन; Instrumental dual

• बाह्यम्: external
• बाह्यम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agrees with (शौचम्)

• भावात्: from (outer) condition/state
• भावात्: Apādāna/Hetu (Source/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (अपादान/5th case), एकवचन; Ablative singular

• अथ: and/then
• अथ: Discourse connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (conj./then/and)

• अन्तरात्: from within/innerly
• अन्तरात्: Apādāna/Hetu (Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (अपादान/5th case), एकवचन; Ablative singular (inner/within)

• यदृच्छालाभतः: from gain obtained by chance
• यदृच्छालाभतः: Hetu (Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदृच्छा + लाभ (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यदृच्छायाः लाभः)

• तुष्टिः: contentment/satisfaction
• तुष्टिः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन; Nominative singular

• सन्तोषः: contentment
• सन्तोषः: Karta/Viśeṣya (Subject/apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्तोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन; Nominative singular (apposition)

• सुखलक्षणम्: a mark of happiness
• सुखलक्षणम्: Viśeṣaṇa/Predicate complement
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; predicate-noun; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सुखस्य लक्षणम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Twofold purity: external (mṛt-jala) and internal (bhāva-śuddhi); contentment with chance gains is true happiness.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi and santoṣa reduce agitation (vṛtti-kṣaya), supporting meditation and discernment.

Application: Maintain bodily/ritual cleanliness; cultivate honesty, non-malice, and clarity; practice gratitude and acceptance; reduce comparison and craving.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Ācāra): emphasis on śauca and santoṣa as foundational virtues (general internal thematic link)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of śauca (purity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines śauca as both outer cleanliness (using earth/clay and water) and inner purity (a clean disposition), showing that ritual hygiene and mental-ethical purity must go together.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing inner purity and contentment, it points to the moral-mental discipline that supports dharmic living—qualities that shape one’s karmic trajectory discussed throughout the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain bodily cleanliness while also cultivating inner integrity and calm; practice contentment by reducing craving and being grateful for what comes through honest means.