Shloka 30

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

हास्यं परगृहे यानं त्यजेत्प्रेषितभर्तृका / रक्षेत्कन्यां पिता बाल्ये यौवने पतिरेव ताम्

Transliteration

hāsyaṃ paragṛhe yānaṃ tyajetpreṣitabhartṛkā / rakṣetkanyāṃ pitā bālye yauvane patireva tām

Translation

A woman whose husband is away should avoid joking and visiting other households. A daughter should be protected by her father in childhood, and in youth by her husband alone.

Word by Word

• हास्यम्: laughter/joking
• हास्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हास्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परगृहे: in another’s house
• परगृहे: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परगृह (प्रातिपदिक; पर + गृह)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः (परस्य गृहे)

• यानम्: going/travel
• यानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• त्यजेत्: should avoid/abandon
• त्यजेत्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• प्रेषित: sent/commissioned
• प्रेषित: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रेषित (कृदन्त; प्र-इष्/प्रेष् धातु (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• भर्तृका: a woman whose husband has sent her (away)
• भर्तृका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृका (प्रातिपदिक; भर्तृ + क)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (प्रेषितः भर्ता यस्याः सा) बहुव्रीह्यर्थे प्रयोगः; subject of tyajet

• रक्षेत्: should protect
• रक्षेत्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कन्याम्: a maiden/daughter
• कन्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पिता: the father
• पिता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बाल्ये: in childhood
• बाल्ये: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Time/काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कालाधिकरण

• यौवने: in youth
• यौवने: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Time/काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यौवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कालाधिकरण

• पतिः: the husband
• पतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात; emphatic particle

• ताम्: her
• ताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Protective restraint (saṃyama) and guardianship (rakṣaṇa) as means to preserve family honor and social stability.

Vedantic Theme: Regulation of conduct to reduce rajas/tamas and prevent adharma-producing entanglements.

Application: When a spouse is away, maintain transparent, safe social interactions; families ensure minors’ safety and well-being through responsible guardianship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household/other households (paragṛha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (strī-dharma and guardianship rules)

FAQs

What is the importance of āchāra (right conduct) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames dharma as disciplined behavior that protects personal reputation, family stability, and social order—especially within the gṛhastha (householder) context.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: by emphasizing dharmic restraint and protection of virtue, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that ethical conduct shapes karmic outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain clear boundaries, avoid situations that invite suspicion or harm, and ensure responsible guardianship and support for dependents according to life stage.