Shloka 12

पुंसां क्रिया-विभागः, संस्काराः, नामकरणम्, विवाहविधानम्

Devanagari script

ततो ऽनन्तरसंस्कारसंस्कृतो गुरुवेश्मनि यथोक्तं विधिम् आश्रित्य कुर्याद् विद्यापरिग्रहम्

Transliteration

tato 'nantarasaṃskārasaṃskṛto guruveśmani yathoktaṃ vidhim āśritya kuryād vidyāparigraham

Translation

Thereafter, refined by the subsequent sacraments, he should enter the teacher’s household; and, taking refuge in the prescribed discipline, he should duly receive sacred learning.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण/adverb): ‘ततः’ = ‘तस्मात्/तत्पश्चात्’

• अनन्तर-संस्कार-संस्कृतः: refined by the subsequent rites
• अनन्तर-संस्कार-संस्कृतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्कृत (कृदन्त; √कृ (धातु) + सम् उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण: ‘संस्कारैः अनन्तरैः संस्कृतः’ (having been refined by subsequent rites)

• गुरु-वेश्मनि: in the teacher’s house
• गुरु-वेश्मनि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + वेश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; ‘गुरोः वेश्मनि’ (in the teacher’s house)

• यथोक्तम्: as stated, as prescribed
• यथोक्तम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् (धातु), क्त)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण): ‘यथा उक्तम्’ = as prescribed

• विधिम्: the rule, procedure
• विधिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• आश्रित्य: having followed, resorting to
• आश्रित्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-√श्रि (धातु) (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund): ‘आश्रित्य’ = having resorted to/following

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विद्या-परिग्रहम्: acquisition of knowledge
• विद्या-परिग्रहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + परिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘विद्यायाः परिग्रहः’ = acquisition of learning

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Dharma of the āśramas and the proper course of brahmacarya leading to Vedic study

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: After the requisite saṃskāras, one should enter the guru’s household and, under prescribed discipline, properly receive sacred learning.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Approach learning through structured practice, ethical restraint, and respect for teachers rather than mere information-gathering.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma as Bhagavat-ājñā: disciplined Vedic study is a means to know and serve the Lord, not an autonomous human project.

Characters & Entities

• Parāśara
• Maitreya
• Guru (Ācārya)
• Brahmacarya (student discipline)

FAQs

What is the significance of samskaras before starting Vedic study in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames learning as something entered only after one is “refined” by the appropriate rites, implying that discipline, purity, and readiness are prerequisites for receiving sacred knowledge.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the proper way to learn (vidyā-parigraha)?

He emphasizes studying in the guru’s household and following the “yathokta vidhi”—the prescribed method—so learning is transmitted through lineage, rule, and lived practice rather than self-directed improvisation.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Although Vishnu is not named in the verse, the teaching supports Vaishnava dharma by preserving the ordained social and spiritual order through which right knowledge and devotion ultimately orient the seeker toward the Supreme Reality (Vishnu).