Shloka 16

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

आदिमध्यावसानेषु भवेच्छन्दोपलक्षिता / ब्राह्मणक्षत्त्रियविशां भैक्षचर्या यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

ādimadhyāvasāneṣu bhavecchandopalakṣitā / brāhmaṇakṣattriyaviśāṃ bhaikṣacaryā yathākramam

Translation

At the beginning, in the middle, and at the end, it should be marked by the prescribed Vedic metre (chandas); and the practice of living on alms is to be undertaken, in due order, by the brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, and vaiśya.

Word by Word

• आदि: beginning
• आदि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• मध्य: middle
• मध्य: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• अवसानॆषु: at the beginning, middle, and end
• अवसानॆषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवसान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; आदि+मध्य+अवसान (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः)

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• छन्दः: Vedic meter/chant
• छन्दः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छन्दस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• उपलक्षिता: marked/characterized by meter
• उपलक्षिता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपलक्षित (प्रातिपदिक; √लक्ष्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त); छन्दः+उपलक्षिता (तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः)

• ब्राह्मण: of Brahmins
• ब्राह्मण: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• क्षत्त्रिय: of Kshatriyas
• क्षत्त्रिय: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• विशाम्: of Vaishyas
• विशाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ब्राह्मण+क्षत्त्रिय+विश् (समाहार-द्वन्द्वः/समुच्चयार्थः)

• भैक्षचर्या: the practice of begging for alms
• भैक्षचर्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैक्ष + चर्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भैक्षस्य चर्या (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• यथाक्रमम्: in due order
• यथाक्रमम्: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा + क्रम (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Conduct is to be ‘chandas’-marked at beginning/middle/end; bhikṣā-living is undertaken in due order by brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya.

Vedantic Theme: Rta/dharma as harmonizing principle; disciplined speech (chandas) supports disciplined life.

Application: Maintain structured routines and correct recitation/learning protocols; follow role-appropriate duties without confusion or imitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: Vedic recitation setting (gurukula/sabha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.94.15 (bhikṣā and insignia); Garuda Purana 1.94.17-19 (food discipline, guru, vows)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa
• Kṣatriya
• Vaiśya

FAQs

What is the importance of bhikṣā (living on alms) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents bhikṣā-caryā as a regulated dharmic discipline, assigned varṇa-wise (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya) and to be practiced according to proper order rather than as random begging.

Why does the verse mention chandas (Vedic metre) at the beginning, middle, and end?

It emphasizes that sacred study/recitation should be aligned with recognized Vedic prosody, suggesting disciplined, orthodox transmission of dharma teachings rather than informal or unmetered delivery.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain discipline and authenticity in spiritual practice—learn texts with correct pronunciation/structure and follow ethical livelihood principles appropriate to one’s role and responsibilities.