Shloka 7

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

ऋतुकाले च नारीणां वर्ज्यं दिनचतुष्टयम् / यतस्तस्मिन् ब्रह्महत्यां पुरा वृत्रसमुत्थिताम्

Transliteration

ṛtukāle ca nārīṇāṃ varjyaṃ dinacatuṣṭayam / yatastasmin brahmahatyāṃ purā vṛtrasamutthitām

Translation

During a woman’s menstrual period, four days are to be observed as restricted. For in that time, it is said, the ancient sin of brahmahatyā—arising from Vṛtra—was formerly present.

Word by Word

• ऋतुकाले: in the season/period (of menses)
• ऋतुकाले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋतु + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ऋतोः कालः)

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

• नारीणाम्: of women
• नारीणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• वर्ज्यम्: to be avoided
• वर्ज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्ज् (धातु) + यत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: विधेय/योग्यतावाचक कृदन्त (यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘वर्जनीयम्’

• दिनचतुष्टयम्: a set of four days
• दिनचतुष्टयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिन + चतुष्टय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (चत्वारि दिनानि)

• यतः: because
• यतः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यतः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतुवाचक अव्यय (causal adverb: because/for)

• तस्मिन्: in that (time/period)
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ब्रह्महत्याम्: Brahmin-slaying (sin)
• ब्रह्महत्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + हत्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ब्रह्मणः हत्या)

• पुरा: formerly
• पुरा: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time: formerly)

• वृत्रसमुत्थिताम्: arisen from Vṛtra
• वृत्रसमुत्थिताम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत्र + समुत्थित (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (सम्+उत्+स्था + क्त → समुत्थित) तत्पुरुष (वृत्रात् समुत्थिता)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual restriction for four days during menstruation is justified through a mythic association with brahmahatyā linked to Vṛtra.

Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-śuddhi and adhikāra: ritual purity rules as preparatory discipline (though not ultimate) within varṇāśrama frameworks.

Application: If following traditional practice, observe prescribed restraints with respect and non-stigmatizing care; distinguish between ritual eligibility rules and ethical dignity of persons.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32 context on causes/conditions of embodied life (adjacent teaching frame)

Characters & Entities

• Vṛtra
• Brahmahatyā

FAQs

What is the importance of the four-day restriction during ṛtukāla in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the four days as a dharmic observance of restriction, linked to an older mythic account that associates the period with the presence of brahmahatyā, thereby emphasizing ritual restraint.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on sin (pāpa) and purity (śauca)?

By connecting a time-bound bodily condition to the notion of brahmahatyā, the text uses mythic causation to justify purity rules—consistent with the Purana’s wider concern for śauca, pāpa-avoidance, and correct observance of dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the teaching as guidance toward mindful observance and personal discipline—following one’s tradition’s śauca norms with respect, health-sensitivity, and a focus on ethical conduct.