Shloka 18

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

अनग्नममृतं चैव कार्यमन्नं द्विजन्मना / अतिथिभ्यस्तु वर्णेभ्यो देयं शक्त्यानुपूर्वशः

Transliteration

anagnamamṛtaṃ caiva kāryamannaṃ dvijanmanā / atithibhyastu varṇebhyo deyaṃ śaktyānupūrvaśaḥ

Translation

A dvija (twice-born) should prepare food that is not cooked on a fire and is pure, fit for sacred use. To guests of the various varṇas, it should be given in due order according to one’s capacity.

Word by Word

• अनग्नम्: without fire (i.e., not cooked on fire)
• अनग्नम्: Qualifier (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनग्न (प्रातिपदिक; नञ् + अग्न)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (अन्नम् इति विशेषण)

• अमृतम्: nectar-like/pure
• अमृतम्: Qualifier (Viśeṣaṇa/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (अन्नम् इति विशेषण)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय

• कार्यम्: to be done/should be prepared
• कार्यम्: Qualifier (Obligation/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कार्य (प्रातिपदिक; कृ (धातु) + ण्यत्)
• Form: ण्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (अन्नम् इति विशेषण)

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• द्विजन्मना: by a twice-born (Brahmin etc.)
• द्विजन्मना: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विजन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/कर्ता-निर्देश), एकवचन

• अतिथिभ्यः: to guests
• अतिथिभ्यः: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), बहुवचन

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषण-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• वर्णेभ्यः: from (among) the varṇas/classes
• वर्णेभ्यः: Apadana (Source/Order/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/क्रम-निर्देश), बहुवचन

• देयम्: to be given
• देयम्: Kriya (Obligation/विधि)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देय (प्रातिपदिक; दा (धातु) + यत्)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (अन्नम्/भिक्षा इत्यादि कर्मणि विधेय)

• शक्त्या: according to ability
• शक्त्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• अनुपूर्वशः: in proper sequence
• अनुपूर्वशः: Prakara (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनुपूर्वशः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: in due order)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: A twice-born should prepare pure food (including uncooked/‘not fire-cooked’ items suitable for sacred use) and give to guests of different varnas according to capacity and proper sequence.

Vedantic Theme: Right action within social duty (svadharma) as purifier; disciplined giving reduces possessiveness and supports inner steadiness.

Application: Maintain cleanliness and purity in food preparation; keep some offerings suitable for guests/ritual needs; give hospitality without overextending, but in orderly and respectful manner.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household/guest-reception space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.15-19

Characters & Entities

• Atithi (guest)
• Dvija (twice-born)
• Varna (social orders)

FAQs

What is the importance of atithi-seva (serving guests) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames hospitality as a dharmic duty: a dvija should prepare pure food and offer it to guests appropriately, making giving and respectful reception part of righteous conduct.

How does this verse relate to spiritual progress according to the Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing purity, restraint, and charity, the verse points to everyday dharma as a means to cultivate merit (puṇya) and ethical discipline, which support higher spiritual aims.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Maintain cleanliness and integrity in what you serve, and give hospitality or charity within your means—prioritizing fairness, respect, and consistency rather than display.