Shloka 17

पुंसां क्रिया-विभागः, संस्काराः, नामकरणम्, विवाहविधानम्

Devanagari script

निसर्गतो विकलाङ्गीम् अधिकाङ्गीं च नोद्वहेत् नाविशुद्धां सरोमां वा ऽकुलजां वातिरोगिणीम्

Transliteration

nisargato vikalāṅgīm adhikāṅgīṃ ca nodvahet nāviśuddhāṃ saromāṃ vā 'kulajāṃ vātirogiṇīm

Translation

By nature, one should not take in marriage a woman who is physically impaired, nor one with supernumerary limbs; nor one who is impure, nor excessively hairy; nor one born of an unknown or improper lineage, nor one afflicted with chronic disorders.

Word by Word

• निसर्गतः: by nature, naturally
• निसर्गतः: Adhikarana (Locative sense/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निसर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त), अर्थे: 'from/by nature' (ablatival adverb)

• विकलाङ्गीम्: having defective limbs
• विकलाङ्गीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विकलाङ्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier of स्त्रियम्)

• अधिकाङ्गीम्: having extra limbs
• अधिकाङ्गीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधिक + अङ्गिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

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

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negation particle)

• उद्वहेत्: should marry
• उद्वहेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + वह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; अर्थ: 'should marry/should take in marriage'

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• अविशुद्धाम्: impure, unclean
• अविशुद्धाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + विशुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• सरोमाम्: hairy
• सरोमाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + रोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—'having hair (excessively)'

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• अकुलजाम्: of ignoble birth
• अकुलजाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ + कुलज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्; 'not born of a (good) family'

• वातिरोगिणीम्: afflicted with vāta disease
• वातिरोगिणीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाति + रोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्; 'suffering from vāta-type disease'

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya in a dharma/householder conduct section)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Rules of conduct for householders (gṛhastha-dharma), specifically criteria for marriage selection

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Marital choice is framed as a dharmic act, where perceived bodily, ritual, and familial “doṣas” are to be avoided to protect gṛhastha stability.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Treat major life-partnership decisions as ethically weighty, prioritizing character, health, and family responsibility while avoiding prejudice and cruelty in judgment.

Vishishtadvaita: Dharma is upheld as Bhagavat-prītikara (pleasing to the Lord) social order; embodied life is a field for disciplined service rather than mere preference.

FAQs

What is the significance of marriage suitability rules in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames marriage as a dharmic institution meant to sustain household stability and social order; suitability is presented as a practical safeguard for gṛhastha life rather than a romantic ideal.

How does Sage Parāśara explain proper household conduct here?

Parāśara lists disqualifying traits—bodily irregularities, impurity, questionable lineage, and chronic illness—as factors believed to disrupt the smooth functioning of domestic duties and ritual obligations.

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

Even when not named, the teaching is placed within a Vishnu-centered Purāṇic worldview where dharma maintains cosmic and social harmony under the supreme governance of Vishnu.