Shloka 15

सदाचार-नियमाः: शील, संयम, संग-निषेध, शुचिता, वाणी-नीति, परोपकारः

Devanagari script

केशास्थिकण्टकामेध्यबलिभस्मतुषांस् तथा स्नानार्द्रधरणीं चैव दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्

Transliteration

keśāsthikaṇṭakāmedhyabalibhasmatuṣāṃs tathā snānārdradharaṇīṃ caiva dūrataḥ parivarjayet

Translation

One should keep well away from fallen hair, bones, thorns, impure substances, offerings left for spirits, ashes, and husks; and likewise avoid ground made wet by bathing, maintaining purity in accordance with dharma.

Word by Word

• keśa-asthi-kaṇṭaka-amedhya-bali-bhasma-tuṣān: hair, bones, thorns, impure things, offerings, ashes, and husks
• keśa-asthi-kaṇṭaka-amedhya-bali-bhasma-tuṣān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: keśa (प्रातिपदिक) + asthi (प्रातिपदिक) + kaṇṭaka (प्रातिपदिक) + amedhya (प्रातिपदिक) + bali (प्रातिपदिक) + bhasma (प्रातिपदिक) + tuṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (सूची-समास)

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: likewise/also)

• snāna-ārdra-dharaṇīm: ground made wet by bathing (water)
• snāna-ārdra-dharaṇīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक) + ārdra (प्रातिपदिक) + dharaṇī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्राय: स्नानेन आर्द्रा धरणी

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

• eva: indeed/just
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• dūrataḥ: from a distance
• dūrataḥ: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: dūratas (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: from afar/at a distance)

• parivarjayet: should completely avoid
• parivarjayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-vṛj (परि+√वर्ज्) (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in instruction to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Maintaining spatial purity by avoiding polluting remnants and ritually charged refuse

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: practical

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śauca is preserved by keeping distance from bodily remnants, death-associated matter, and impure leftovers, including wet bathing-ground and discarded offerings.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Maintain hygienic, uncluttered living spaces; dispose of waste properly; keep a clean area for prayer/recitation; avoid environments that degrade attention and purity.

Vishishtadvaita: Purity disciplines the senses and steadies the mind, enabling sustained remembrance and loving service to the Lord (bhakti as lived order).

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

FAQs

What is the significance of śauca (purity) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames purity as practical discipline—avoiding impure objects and places—so that one’s daily life remains aligned with dharma and fit for worship.

How does Sage Parāśara explain proper conduct regarding impure places?

He gives concrete avoidance rules: keep distance from common sources of impurity (hair, bones, leftovers/offerings, ashes, chaff) and from ground dampened by bathing, emphasizing situational awareness in daily practice.

The theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Though Vishnu is not named in the verse, the discipline of purity supports a life oriented toward the Supreme—making the body and surroundings suitable for Vishnu-centered worship and dharmic order.