Shloka 26

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

लक्षण्यं जनयेदेव पुत्रं रोगविवर्जितम् / यथा कामी भवेद्वापि स्त्रीणां (स्म) वलमनुस्मरन्

Transliteration

lakṣaṇyaṃ janayedeva putraṃ rogavivarjitam / yathā kāmī bhavedvāpi strīṇāṃ (sma) valamanusmaran

Translation

Al recordar (y emplear) esta potencia, se engendra un hijo varón con signos auspiciosos y libre de enfermedad; y al recordar la fuerza de las mujeres, uno puede incluso encender un deseo vehemente.

Word by Word

• लक्षण्यम्: endowed with good marks/auspicious qualities
• लक्षण्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लक्षण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (agreeing with पुत्रम्)

• जनयेत्: should beget/produce
• जनयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जन् (धातु) (णिच्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative) परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person) एकवचनम्; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative: cause to be born)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात (indeed/only)

• पुत्रम्: a son
• पुत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचनम्

• रोगविवर्जितम्: free from disease
• रोगविवर्जितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रोग + विवर्जित (प्रातिपदिक; √वर्ज् + वि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचनम्; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (रोगैः विवर्जितः = free from disease); भूतकृदन्त-विशेषणम्

• यथा: so that/as
• यथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (as/so that)

• कामी: desirous/passionate
• कामी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे प्रथमा (1st/Nominative) एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (desirous)

• भवेत्: may become
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative) परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person) एकवचनम्

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

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-निपात (also/even)

• स्त्रीणाम्: of women
• स्त्रीणाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) बहुवचनम्

• स्म: (particle)
• स्म: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्म (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्मरण/अनुस्मरणार्थक-निपात (particle, often metrical)

• वलम्: strength (reading likely: balam)
• वलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative) एकवचनम् (पाठदोष/अर्थसंदिग्धः; सम्भाव्यं 'बलम्' = strength)

• अनुस्मरन्: remembering
• अनुस्मरन्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्मृ (धातु) + अनु (उपसर्ग)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्तः (शतृ) परस्मैपदी; प्रथमा एकवचनम् पुंलिङ्गे; क्रियाविशेषणभावेन (while remembering)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Remembering/using prescribed potency (lākṣaṇya/śakti) leads to a healthy, well-marked son; remembrance of women’s strength can kindle desire.

Vedantic Theme: Mind (smṛti/saṅkalpa) shaping action and outcomes; channeling kāma toward dharmic ends (praja).

Application: Approach conception with intentional mental state, health, and respect; recognize psychological factors in desire and behavior.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (progeny, potency, timing, and conduct)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Women
• Son (putra)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse’s topic in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights the Purana’s theme that specific remembrances and prescribed spiritual means are believed to influence worldly outcomes like progeny, health, and mental states.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the post-death journey; instead, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s broader worldview that subtle factors (memory, mantra-like recollection, potency) shape embodied life, which in turn affects karma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat it as a reminder to cultivate sattvic mental impressions and disciplined conduct, especially regarding health, family life, and control of desire.