Shloka 38

Devanagari script

वर्षातपादिके छत्री दण्डी रात्र्यटवीषु च शरीरत्राणकामो वै सोपानत्कः सदा व्रजेत्

Transliteration

varṣātapādike chatrī daṇḍī rātryaṭavīṣu ca śarīratrāṇakāmo vai sopānatkaḥ sadā vrajet

Translation

In rain and blazing sun, and also when moving through forests at night, one who seeks the body’s protection should always go equipped—with umbrella, staff, and footwear.

Word by Word

• वर्षातपादिके: in (conditions) like rain and heat etc.
• वर्षातपादिके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्षा-आतप-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; components: वर्षा + आतप + आदि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• छत्री: one with an umbrella
• छत्री: Karta (as qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• दण्डी: one with a staff
• दण्डी: Karta (as qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दण्डिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• रात्र्यटवीषु: in night-forests / at night in forests
• रात्र्यटवीषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि-अटवी (प्रातिपदिक; components: रात्रि + अटवी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; अधिकरण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (conjunction)

• शरीरत्राणकामः: one desiring protection of the body
• शरीरत्राणकामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर-त्राण-काम (प्रातिपदिक; components: शरीर + त्राण + काम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्ता

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha/Discourse particle
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• सोपानत्कः: wearing footwear
• सोपानत्कः: Karta (as qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स-उपानत्क (प्रातिपदिक; components: स + उपानत्क)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• व्रजेत्: should go/walk
• व्रजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya in the dharma-instruction section)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: practical dharma: preparedness for travel and bodily protection in adverse conditions

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: compassionate

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma includes practical wisdom: safeguarding the body with appropriate means (umbrella, staff, footwear) in rain, heat, and risky travel.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Treat the body as an instrument for sādhana: plan for weather and safety, travel mindfully, and avoid negligence that disrupts duty.

Vishishtadvaita: Care for the body supports continuous service (kainkarya); the embodied self fulfills dharma by maintaining the Lord-given instrument responsibly.

FAQs

What is the significance of practical conduct rules in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse shows that dharma is upheld through disciplined, sensible habits—protecting the body so one can continue performing duties, study, and worship without avoidable harm.

How does Sage Parāśara explain right conduct (sadācāra) here?

He teaches concrete, situational guidelines—carry an umbrella, a staff, and footwear—framing everyday prudence as part of dharmic living rather than mere convenience.

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

Even when not named, the teaching supports a Vaishnava dharma framework: preserving the body and maintaining order enables steadiness in one’s prescribed duties, which are ultimately oriented toward Vishnu as the supreme sustaining reality.