Shloka 31

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

भूमिदानस्य तपसः स्वाध्यायफलभाग्द्विजः / नेष्ठिको ब्रह्मचारी तु वसेदाचार्यसन्निधौ

Transliteration

bhūmidānasya tapasaḥ svādhyāyaphalabhāgdvijaḥ / neṣṭhiko brahmacārī tu vasedācāryasannidhau

Translation

A dvija (twice-born) should partake of the merit arising from the gift of land, from austerity (tapas), and from the fruit of Vedic self-study (svādhyāya); and, as a steadfast brahmacārī, he should dwell close in the presence of his teacher (ācārya).

Word by Word

• भूमिदानस्य: of land-gift
• भूमिदानस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भूमेः दानम्)

• तपसः: of austerity
• तपसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• स्वाध्यायफलभाग्: a sharer in the fruit of self-study
• स्वाध्यायफलभाग्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाध्याय + फल + भाग् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (स्वाध्यायस्य फलस्य भागी)

• द्विजः: a twice-born (brahmin)
• द्विजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• नेष्ठिकः: steadfast / devoted
• नेष्ठिकः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नेष्ठिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (द्विजस्य)

• ब्रह्मचारी: a celibate student
• ब्रह्मचारी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• वसेत्: should dwell
• वसेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• आचार्यसन्निधौ: in the presence of the teacher
• आचार्यसन्निधौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य + सन्निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (आचार्यस्य सन्निधिः)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Merit accrues through dāna (esp. bhūmi-dāna), tapas, and svādhyāya; the niṣṭhika brahmacārin should reside near the teacher for disciplined formation.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya supports: śama-dama via brahmacarya; karma-yoga through dāna; purification (citta-śuddhi) as groundwork for higher knowledge.

Application: Prioritize disciplined study, ethical austerity, and generosity; seek close mentorship and structured learning environments.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: āśrama/gurukula

Cross References

Related Themes: Ācāra-kāṇḍa passages on brahmacarya, guru-sevā, svādhyāya (general parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of bhūmi-dāna (gift of land) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats land-gifting as a major source of punya (merit), placing it alongside tapas and svadhyaya as spiritually fruitful dharmic acts.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the soul’s welfare through dharma: merit gained via charity, austerity, and Vedic discipline supports spiritual progress and counters negative karmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Support righteous giving (especially sustaining livelihoods/learning), maintain disciplined self-study, and seek guidance from a qualified teacher while living a principled, restrained life.