Shloka 63

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

Devanagari script

नृशंसराजरजककृतघ्नवधजीविनाम् / पिशुनानृतिनोश्चैव सोमविक्रयिणस्तथा

Transliteration

nṛśaṃsarājarajakakṛtaghnavadhajīvinām / piśunānṛtinoścaiva somavikrayiṇastathā

Translation

Likewise, avoid the cruel; kings and washermen when they act sinfully; the ungrateful and those who live by killing; slanderers and liars; and also those who sell Soma.

Word by Word

• nṛśaṃsa-rāja-rajakakṛta-ghna-vadha-jīvinām: of the cruel, kings, washermen, the ungrateful, and those living by killing
• nṛśaṃsa-rāja-rajakakṛta-ghna-vadha-jīvinām: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛśaṃsa + rāja + rajaka + kṛtaghna + vadha + jīvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचनम्; समासः द्वन्द्व-समुच्चयः (enumeration)

• piśuna-anṛtinoḥ: of the slanderer and the liar
• piśuna-anṛtinoḥ: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: piśuna + anṛtin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), द्विवचनम्; समासः द्वन्द्वः (two-member copulative)

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

• eva: indeed/also
• eva: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

• soma-vikrayiṇaḥ: of sellers of soma
• soma-vikrayiṇaḥ: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: soma + vikrayin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचनम्; समासः तत्पुरुषः (somasya vikrayin = seller of soma)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/तुल्यार्थक-अव्ययम् (adverb: likewise)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Harmful acts (cruelty, killing for livelihood), betrayal (ingratitude), and speech-sins (slander, lying), plus sacrilege (selling Soma), generate grave demerit and social-spiritual downfall.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-bandha through hiṃsā and asatya; purification through satya and ahiṃsā as supports for inner freedom.

Application: Practice non-violence in livelihood, cultivate gratitude, avoid gossip/defamation and lying, and treat sacred things as sacred—not commodities.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96.60–64 (ethical prohibitions/avoidance)

Characters & Entities

• Soma

FAQs

What is the importance of listing sins in the Garuda Purana?

This verse exemplifies how the Garuda Purana categorizes unethical actions—cruelty, falsehood, slander, and exploitative livelihoods—as causes for suffering in Yama’s domain, reinforcing karmic accountability.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By naming specific sinners, the text indicates that after death the soul faces judgment and corresponding consequences in Yama’s realm based on actions and livelihood, not merely on social identity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Avoid cruelty, lying, and slander; choose livelihoods that do not depend on harm; and treat sacred or ethical duties as non-commercial—these are presented as safeguards against severe karmic outcomes.