Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

देशे ऽशुचावात्मनि च विद्युत्स्तनितसंप्लवे / भुक्त्वार्द्रपाणिरम्भो ऽन्तरर्धरात्रे ऽतिमारुते

Transliteration

deśe 'śucāvātmani ca vidyutstanitasaṃplave / bhuktvārdrapāṇirambho 'ntarardharātre 'timārute

Translation

In an impure place, and when one’s own body is impure; amid storms of lightning and thunder; after eating while the hands are still wet; in water; at midnight; and in violent winds—these are improper times and conditions for prescribed observances.

Word by Word

• देशे: in a place
• देशे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• अशुचौ: impure
• अशुचौ: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (impure)

• आत्मनि: in oneself; in the body
• आत्मनि: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

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

• विद्युत्-स्तनित-संप्लवे: during a storm with lightning and thunder
• विद्युत्-स्तनित-संप्लवे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्युत् (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तनित (कृदन्त; स्तन् धातु) + संप्लव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—विद्युत्-स्तनितयोः संप्लवः (storm with lightning and thunder)

• भुक्त्वा: having eaten
• भुक्त्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भुज् (धातु) → भुक्त्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया (having eaten)

• आर्द्र-पाणिः: (one) with wet hands
• आर्द्र-पाणिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—आर्द्रः पाणिः यस्य (wet-handed)

• अम्भः: water
• अम्भः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्भस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; ‘अम्भः’ = जलम् (water)

• अन्तर्: within; during
• अन्तर्: Sambandha (Modifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्तर् (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश)
• Form: अव्यय; उपपद/पूर्वपद-रूपेण ‘अन्तरर्धरात्रे’ इत्यत्र (within)

• अर्ध-रात्रे: at midnight
• अर्ध-रात्रे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—रात्रेः अर्धे (at midnight)

• अति-मारुते: in a very strong wind
• अति-मारुते: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + मारुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; उपसर्गपूर्वक-तत्पुरुषः—अतिशयितः मारुतः (very strong wind)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adhikāra for sacred acts depends on śauca (external and internal) and appropriate kāla-deśa; nature’s turbulence and bodily impurity suspend practice.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-supporting discipline; purity as an aid to clarity (śuddhi) and steadiness (sthiti) in practice.

Application: Pause recitation/ritual during storms, at midnight, in violent winds, in water, or when impure; wash and compose oneself before resuming.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: any impure place / hazardous conditions

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 anadhyāya conditions (continuation list)

FAQs

What is the importance of ritual purity conditions in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists situations of impurity or disturbance (unclean place/body, storms, midnight, violent wind, etc.) indicating that dharmic acts should be done in stable, pure conditions to preserve their sanctity and efficacy.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s teachings on the soul and after-death rites?

By emphasizing correct timing and purity for prescribed actions, it supports the broader Purana theme that properly performed rites and disciplined conduct uphold dharma, which in turn influences karmic outcomes and the post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep worship/rituals and other observances in a clean, calm setting; avoid performing them when physically unclean or during disruptive conditions, and instead resume once conditions are steady and appropriate.