Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

वृद्धार्तानां समादेयः पन्था वै भारवाहिनाम् / इज्याध्ययनदानानि वैश्यस्य क्षत्त्रियस्य च

Transliteration

vṛddhārtānāṃ samādeyaḥ panthā vai bhāravāhinām / ijyādhyayanadānāni vaiśyasya kṣattriyasya ca

Translation

One should yield the way to the aged and the afflicted, and also to those who carry burdens. Worship through yajña, study, and charitable giving are prescribed for the Vaiśya and the Kṣatriya as well.

Word by Word

• वृद्धार्तानाम्: of the aged and the afflicted
• वृद्धार्तानाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृद्ध+आर्त (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचनम्; ‘वृद्ध’ च ‘आर्त’ च इति द्वन्द्वः

• समादेयः: to be taken/should be adopted
• समादेयः: Vidhyartha (Obligation/विध्यर्थ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्+आ+दा (धातु)
• Form: भविष्यत्कृदन्त/कर्तव्यतार्थक-यत् (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; पन्थाः इति विशेषणम्

• पन्थाः: the path/way
• पन्थाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथिन्/पन्था (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• भारवाहिनाम्: of the load-bearers
• भारवाहिनाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार+वाहिन् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचनम्; ‘भारं वहन्ति’ इति (भार-वाहिन्)

• इज्याध्ययनदानानि: worship, study, and gifts
• इज्याध्ययनदानानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इज्या+अध्ययन+दान (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्; त्रयाणां समुच्चयः (dvandva)

• वैश्यस्य: of the Vaishya
• वैश्यस्य: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनम्

• क्षत्त्रियस्य: of the Kshatriya
• क्षत्त्रियस्य: Sambandha (Possessor/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्त्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचनम्

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sadācāra in public life (yielding to aged, afflicted, burden-bearers) and prescribed duties of worship, study, and giving for Vaiśya and Kṣatriya.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as purifying action (karma-yoga orientation): social harmony and self-restraint reduce ego and cultivate sattva.

Application: Practice right-of-way ethics; prioritize vulnerable persons; maintain regular worship/study; institutionalize charity as a duty, not a mood.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: civic space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.25 (daily discipline); Garuda Purana 1.96.27-28 (role duties); Garuda Purana 1.96.29 (universal virtues)

FAQs

What is the importance of respecting elders and the distressed in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats everyday courtesy—yielding the way to the aged and suffering—as a concrete expression of dharma, showing that righteousness is practiced through small, habitual acts of compassion.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by prescribing ethical conduct and duties (worship, study, charity), it frames dharma as the foundation that supports auspicious outcomes after death—central to Garuda Purana’s broader karma-based worldview.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice respectful public conduct (prioritize elders, the unwell, and those carrying heavy loads) and cultivate regular disciplines of reverence, learning, and giving—turning dharma into daily habit rather than theory.