Shloka 12

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

पाणिर्ग्राह्यः सवर्णासु गृह्णीत क्षत्त्रिया शरम् / वैश्या प्रतोदमादद्याद्वेदने चाग्रजन्मनः

Transliteration

pāṇirgrāhyaḥ savarṇāsu gṛhṇīta kṣattriyā śaram / vaiśyā pratodamādadyādvedane cāgrajanmanaḥ

Translation

In marriages within one’s own varṇa, the bride’s hand should be taken in the proper manner. A Kṣatriya should take up an arrow; a Vaiśya should take up a goad; and for the higher-born (Brāhmaṇa), the rite of leading should be done with a staff.

Word by Word

• पाणिः: the hand (in marriage rite)
• पाणिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.)

• ग्राह्यः: should be taken
• ग्राह्यः: Visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्राह्य (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from ग्रह् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.); विधेय-विशेषणम्; यत्-प्रत्ययान्तः (gerundive: ‘to be taken’)

• सवर्णासु: among those of the same varṇa
• सवर्णासु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-बहुवचनम् (7th loc. pl.); ‘सवर्णा’ (same-varṇa women)

• गृह्णीत: should take
• गृह्णीत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकारः (imperative), परस्मैपदम्, मध्यमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• क्षत्त्रिया: a Kṣatriya woman
• क्षत्त्रिया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.)

• शरम्: an arrow
• शरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (2nd acc. sg.)

• वैश्याः: a Vaiśya woman
• वैश्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-एकवचनम् (1st nom. sg.)

• प्रतोदम्: a goad/whip
• प्रतोदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतोद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-एकवचनम् (2nd acc. sg.)

• आदद्यात्: should give/take (as prescribed)
• आदद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• वेदने: in the act of piercing/causing pain (test)
• वेदने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-एकवचनम् (7th loc. sg.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• अग्रजन्मनः: of the first-born/elder
• अग्रजन्मनः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-एकवचनम् (6th gen. sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुषः ‘अग्रं जन्म यस्य’/‘अग्रजन्मा’ (first-born/elder)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pāṇigrahaṇa within one’s varṇa is to be performed with prescribed symbols reflecting duty: kṣatriya (arrow), vaiśya (goad), brāhmaṇa (staff/leading).

Vedantic Theme: Svadharma expressed through saṃskāra; disciplined ritual action cultivates sattva and social harmony, supporting spiritual life.

Application: Treat life-rites as intentional commitments; honor the ethical meaning behind symbols (protection, stewardship, guidance) rather than mere externalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95.10–11 (marriage forms and eligibility)

Characters & Entities

• Kshatriya
• Vaishya
• Brahmana

FAQs

What is the importance of pāṇigrahaṇa (hand-taking) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats pāṇigrahaṇa as a defining act of the marriage saṁskāra, to be performed according to dharma and social rule (especially in same-varṇa unions).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not discuss the after-death journey here; instead it establishes righteous household conduct (ācāra), which in the Purāṇic framework supports good karma and social order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that life-cycle rites should be done with clarity of intention, responsibility, and respect for tradition—focusing on ethical commitment rather than mere ceremony.