Shloka 17

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

जटित्वमग्निहोत्रत्वं भूशय्याजिनधारणम् / वने वासः पयोमूलनीवारफलवृत्तिता

Transliteration

jaṭitvamagnihotratvaṃ bhūśayyājinadhāraṇam / vane vāsaḥ payomūlanīvāraphalavṛttitā

Translation

Porter les cheveux en jaṭā, entretenir le saint Agnihotra, dormir à même le sol, revêtir une peau de daim, demeurer en forêt et se nourrir de lait, de racines, de riz sauvage et de fruits : tels sont les signes extérieurs de la vie d’ascèse.

Word by Word

• जटित्वम्: matted-hair state (wearing matted locks)
• जटित्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जटित्व (प्रातिपदिक; जटिन् + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भाववाचक-त्वान्त (abstract noun)

• अग्निहोत्रत्वम्: the state of performing agnihotra
• अग्निहोत्रत्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्निहोत्रत्व (प्रातिपदिक; अग्निहोत्र + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भाववाचक-त्वान्त

• भूशय्या: sleeping on the ground (earth-bed)
• भूशय्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू + शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भू-शय्या = earth-bed)

• अजिनधारणम्: wearing a deer-skin
• अजिनधारणम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अजिन + धारण (प्रातिपदिक; √धृ (धातु) + ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; ल्युट्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (धारणम् = wearing/holding)

• वने: in the forest
• वने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• वासः: dwelling
• वासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पयः: milk
• पयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• मूल: roots
• मूल: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• नीवार: wild rice (nivāra)
• नीवार: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नीवार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• फल: fruits
• फल: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (समासाङ्ग)

• वृत्तिता: living by (subsisting on) milk, roots, wild rice, and fruits
• वृत्तिता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्ति + ता (प्रातिपदिक; वृत्ति + ता)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भाववाचक-तान्त; पूर्वपद-समाहार (पयो-मूल-नीवार-फल-वृत्तिता = subsistence on milk, roots, wild rice, fruits)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External disciplines and austere livelihood as signs of ascetic life (tapas-lakshana).

Vedantic Theme: Vairagya as a preparatory discipline (sadhana-chatushtaya: shama-dama-titiksha) supporting inner purification.

Application: Adopt moderated living: simplify possessions, regulate diet, cultivate periodic retreat, and keep a steady daily spiritual practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ashrama/forest

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.18-21 (forest-dharma and parivrājaka-dharma continuation)

Characters & Entities

• Agnihotra

FAQs

What is the importance of ascetic signs (jaṭā, ajina, vana-vāsa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists classic external disciplines of renunciation—simple living, restraint, and ritual observance—used to indicate an ascetic mode of life and support dharmic self-control.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana narrative?

By emphasizing austerity and disciplined living, it points to conduct (dharma) that purifies karma—an underlying theme in the Garuda Purana’s broader discussion of consequences after death and the value of righteous practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt the principle behind the austerities: simplify possessions, practice daily spiritual discipline, eat moderately, and choose habits that reduce greed and distraction.