Shloka 15
गृहस्थस्य सदाचारः: शौच, तर্পण, वैश्वदेव, अतिथिधर्म, भोजन-विधि, संध्योपासन, ऋतु-धर्मः
तृणैर् आस्तीर्य वसुधां वस्त्रप्रावृतमस्तकः तिष्ठेन् नातिचिरं तत्र नैव किंचिद् उदीरयेत्
tṛṇair āstīrya vasudhāṃ vastraprāvṛtamastakaḥ tiṣṭhen nāticiraṃ tatra naiva kiṃcid udīrayet
Having spread grass upon the ground and covered his head with a cloth, he should remain there only briefly—and in that place he should not utter anything at all.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Proper procedure and demeanor during excretion (grass seat, head covered, silence)
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: Modesty, silence, and a simple hygienic arrangement (grass seat, covered head) preserve śauca and social decorum.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice discreet, hygienic habits; avoid casual speech or distraction during impure acts; maintain cleanliness of surroundings.
Vishishtadvaita: By regulating even mundane acts, one lives as a responsible part of the Lord’s body (śarīra) that is the world—supporting order and purity within His immanent presence.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
The verse prescribes deliberate silence as a form of restraint and purification—training the practitioner to reduce distraction and maintain ritual and moral discipline.
Parāśara presents dharma through concrete observances—posture, setting, duration, and speech-control—showing that inner purity is cultivated through outwardly regulated practice.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the Purana frames dharmic restraint as part of the ordered life that ultimately supports devotion and alignment with Vishnu’s sovereign cosmic law (dharma).