Shloka 19

Devanagari script

व्रतचर्योपहारैश् च ग्राह्यो वेदो द्विजातिभिः ततः स्वधर्मसंप्राप्तैर् यष्टव्यं विधिवद् धनैः

Transliteration

vratacaryopahāraiś ca grāhyo vedo dvijātibhiḥ tataḥ svadharmasaṃprāptair yaṣṭavyaṃ vidhivad dhanaiḥ

Translation

By vows, disciplined conduct, and fitting offerings, the twice-born should receive and safeguard the Veda. Thereafter, established in their own svadharma, they should perform sacrifice according to rule, supported by wealth gained in righteousness.

Word by Word

• व्रतचर्या-उपहारैः: by observances and offerings
• व्रतचर्या-उपहारैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रतचर्या (प्रातिपदिक) + उपहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/साधन, 3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (व्रतचर्या च उपहाराश्च)

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

• ग्राह्यः: to be learned/received
• ग्राह्यः: Karya/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु) → ग्राह्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: भविष्यत्कर्तव्यतार्थक-यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligatory), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• वेदः: the Veda
• वेदः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• द्विजातिभिः: by the twice-born (classes)
• द्विजातिभिः: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विजाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग (जातिशब्दः), तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (Temporal/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रम/अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then/thereafter)

• स्वधर्म-सम्प्राप्तैः: by those who have attained their own duty
• स्वधर्म-सम्प्राप्तैः: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वधर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्प्राप्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: समासः—षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष (स्वधर्मं सम्प्राप्ताः); सम्प्राप्त = सम्+प्र+आप् (धातु) क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• यष्टव्यम्: (sacrifice) should be performed
• यष्टव्यम्: Karya/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु) → यष्टव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: कर्तव्यतार्थक-तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विधेय (it is to be sacrificed)

• विधिवत्: according to the prescribed rule
• विधिवत्: Prakara (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधिवत् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb: according to rule)

• धनैः: with wealth/resources
• धनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (in dialogue with Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: Proper conduct (vrata), Vedic study, and performance of sacrifice supported by righteous wealth as duties of the twice-born

Teaching: Ethical

Quality: authoritative

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vedic learning is to be received through disciplined vows and proper offerings, and then enacted as one’s svadharma through correctly performed sacrifice sustained by righteous wealth.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Anchor study in daily discipline and integrity; let learning mature into duty performed carefully and supported by honest livelihood.

Vishishtadvaita: Svadharma and yajña are framed as modes of service within the Lord’s order (niyati), aligning embodied life with the divine governance rather than mere self-assertion.

Vaishnava Theology

Bhakti Type: Shanta

Characters & Entities

• Veda
• Dvija (twice-born)
• Svadharma
• Yajña (sacrifice)

FAQs

What is the significance of Vedic study with vows (vrata) in the Vishnu Purana?

This verse frames Vedic learning as something earned through self-discipline and appropriate offerings, emphasizing that sacred knowledge is preserved by ethical preparation rather than mere recitation.

How does Sage Parāśara explain svadharma in this context?

Parāśara links svadharma to the proper sequence of life and duty: first receive the Veda through disciplined practice, then enact one’s ordained responsibilities through prescribed rites and sacrifices.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu here, even though He is not named?

In the Vishnu Purana’s worldview, Veda, dharma, and yajña are sustaining structures of cosmic order ultimately grounded in Vishnu as Supreme Reality; performing them ‘according to rule’ aligns society with that divine sovereignty.