Shloka 10

Sūtaka-Nirṇaya: Causes, Duration, Exceptions, and Purification Protocols

Devanagari script

विवाहोत्सवयज्ञेषु अन्तरा मृतसूतके / पूर्वसङ्कल्पितं वित्तं भोज्यं तन्मनुरब्रवीत्

Transliteration

vivāhotsavayajñeṣu antarā mṛtasūtake / pūrvasaṅkalpitaṃ vittaṃ bhojyaṃ tanmanurabravīt

Translation

During weddings, celebrations, and sacrificial rites, even if a death-related impurity (mṛta-sūtaka) intervenes, Manu declared that the food and expenditure previously resolved upon with due intention may still be used, and the feeding may proceed.

Word by Word

• vivāha-utsava-yajñeṣu: in weddings, festivals, and sacrifices
• vivāha-utsava-yajñeṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vivāha (प्रातिपदिक) + utsava (प्रातिपदिक) + yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (vivāha+utsava+yajña)

• antarā: during; in between
• antarā: Kāla/Deśa-viśeṣaṇa (काल/देश-विशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: antarā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्ग/निपात-स्वरूपः, अर्थे—मध्ये/अन्तरे (in the interval/during)

• mṛta-sūtake: during death-impurity (sūtaka)
• mṛta-sūtake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛta (प्रातिपदिक) + sūtaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मृतस्य सूतकम्)

• pūrva-saṅkalpitam: previously intended/pledged
• pūrva-saṅkalpitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkalpita (कृदन्त; √kḷp/कल्प्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/प्रथमा or 2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; भूतकृत्-प्रत्ययः (क्त), कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-भावः—पूर्वं संकल्पितम् (previously resolved)

• vittam: wealth; money
• vittam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/प्रथमा or 2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• bhojyam: fit to be eaten/served (as food)
• bhojyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhojya (कृदन्त; √bhuj/भुज्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/प्रथमा or 2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम्; कृत्य-प्रत्ययः (यत्)

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• manuḥ: Manu
• manuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• abravīt: said; declared
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकारः (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda, citing Manu as authority)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: If mṛta-sūtaka intervenes during weddings/festivals/yajñas, previously saṅkalpita (formally resolved) food/expenditure may still be used—protecting communal commitments.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma balances purity with compassion and social order; intention (saṅkalpa) and prior commitment carry ethical weight.

Application: When unforeseen bereavement interrupts planned rites, follow authorized procedures to avoid waste and uphold commitments while respecting impurity rules.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual venue

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.39 on mṛta-āśauca and exceptions/continuity rules

Characters & Entities

• Manu
• Sūtaka (death-impurity)

FAQs

What is the importance of sūtaka (mourning impurity) rules in Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that dharma recognizes practical exceptions: if a wedding, festival, or yajña has been formally planned (saṅkalpa) and a death-impurity period intervenes, the already-decided feeding/expense may still be treated as permissible, as supported by Manu.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rites and dharma?

In the Preta Kanda context, rules around death and ritual conduct are clarified; here, the text balances purity observances with continuity of vowed or formally resolved rites by citing Manu’s dharma-śāstra principle.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When unavoidable conflicts arise between mourning observances and pre-committed religious/social rites, follow established dharma guidance: consult competent tradition/priests, honor prior saṅkalpa responsibly, and maintain reverence for both the deceased and the rite.