Shloka 19

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचर्यमधः शय्यामुपवासं द्विजार्चनम् / व्रतेष्वेतेषु कुर्वीत शान्तः संयतमानसः

Transliteration

brahmacaryamadhaḥ śayyāmupavāsaṃ dvijārcanam / vrateṣveteṣu kurvīta śāntaḥ saṃyatamānasaḥ

Translation

Maintaining celibacy, sleeping on the ground, fasting, and honoring the twice-born (brāhmaṇas)—one should observe these vows with tranquility and a well-restrained mind.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म + चर्य (प्रातिपदिक); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणः चर्या)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• अधः: on the ground/below
• अधः: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), स्थानवाचक

• शय्याम्: bed (sleeping place)
• शय्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• उपवासम्: fasting
• उपवासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उप + वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• द्विजार्चनम्: worship/honoring of Brahmins
• द्विजार्चनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (द्विजस्य अर्चनम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• व्रतेषु: in vows
• व्रतेषु: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), बहुवचन

• एतेषु: in these
• एतेषु: Adhikarana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (qualifies vrateṣu)

• कुर्वीत: should perform
• कुर्वीत: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शान्तः: calm
• शान्तः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (calm)

• संयतमानसः: one whose mind is restrained
• संयतमानसः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संयत + मानस (प्रातिपदिक); कर्मधारय-समास (संयतं मानसं यस्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (possessive adjective)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Austerities (brahmacarya, bhū-śayyā, upavāsa) and honoring the learned (dvijārcana) must be done with a restrained mind for efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as prerequisites for stable contemplation and devotion.

Application: Choose a manageable vow-period: reduce sensory indulgence, simplify sleep/comfort, fast appropriately, and honor teachers/elders—while prioritizing mental calm over mere hardship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata-niyamas and prāyaścitta lists emphasizing saṃyata-manas

Characters & Entities

• Dvija (twice-born/Brāhmaṇas)

FAQs

What is the importance of these vows (vrata) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents core disciplines—continence, simplicity, fasting, and honoring the righteous—as vrata practices that cultivate merit (puṇya) and inner purity through calmness and mental restraint.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing self-control and dharmic observance, the verse implies that one’s conduct and accumulated merit shape post-death outcomes—supporting a smoother journey and better conditions beyond death as described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt periodic discipline: moderate sensuality, simplify comforts, fast in a health-appropriate way, respect learned and ethical teachers, and keep the mind steady—treating these as intentional vows rather than occasional acts.