Shloka 68

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

Devanagari script

अस्नेहा अपि घोधूमयवगोरसविक्रियाः / औष्ट्रमैकशफं स्त्रीणां पयश्च परिवर्जयेत्

Transliteration

asnehā api ghodhūmayavagorasavikriyāḥ / auṣṭramaikaśaphaṃ strīṇāṃ payaśca parivarjayet

Translation

Even if prepared without ghee or oil, foods made from wheat, barley, and milk-products should be avoided; likewise, camel’s milk, the milk of single-hoofed animals, and a woman’s milk should be wholly shunned.

Word by Word

• अस्नेहाः: fat-free (without ghee/oil)
• अस्नेहाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ- + स्नेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग (सामान्यतः बहुवचन), प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'without fat/oil'

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle: 'even/also')

• घो: cow
• घो: Sambandha (Compound-member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: गो-शब्द (समासपूर्वपद); 'cow'

• धूम: smoke
• धूम: Sambandha (Compound-member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासपूर्वपद); 'smoke'

• यव: barley
• यव: Sambandha (Compound-member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासपूर्वपद); 'barley'

• गोरस: cow-milk
• गोरस: Sambandha (Compound-member/समासाङ्ग)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोरस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासपूर्वपद); 'milk/juice of cow'

• विक्रियाः: products/derivatives
• विक्रियाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विक्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'products/derivatives'

• घोधूमयवगोरसविक्रियाः: products/preparations (of cow/milk etc.)
• घोधूमयवगोरसविक्रियाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो + धूम + यव + गोरस + विक्रिया (प्रातिपदिकानि)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (समाहारार्थे सूची); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; 'products of cow, smoke, barley, and cow-milk' (i.e., certain preparations)

• औष्ट्रम्: camel’s (milk/product)
• औष्ट्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उष्ट्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'camel’s (milk/product)'

• एकशफम्: single-hoofed (animal’s milk/product)
• एकशफम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक + शफ (प्रातिपदिकौ)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'single-hoofed'

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; 'of women'

• पयः: milk
• पयः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; 'milk'

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

• परिवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• परिवर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि+वृज्/वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'should completely avoid'

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain grains/milk-products and specific milks are to be avoided as unfit within this rule-set, regardless of added fats.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline of senses (indriya-nigraha) through regulated diet; supports sattvic living as preparatory purity.

Application: Follow one’s tradition’s dietary restrictions; be cautious with unfamiliar animal milks; maintain clear household standards for what is considered acceptable.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: dietary/household context implied

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (diet lists: grains, dairy categories, animal-source restrictions)

FAQs

What is the importance of dietary restraint in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats food-choice as part of ācāra (right conduct): certain milks and even specific grain-and-milk preparations are said to compromise ritual/purity discipline, so restraint supports śauca and dharmic living.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing purity-oriented conduct in life. In Garuḍa Purāṇa, such ācāra is presented as foundational for favorable karmic outcomes, which in turn affects one’s post-death trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain mindful, disciplined eating aligned with your tradition’s purity/observance rules—especially when undertaking vows, rites, or spiritual practice—prioritizing consistency and ethical intent.