Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

इतिहासपुराणानि वेदाङ्गानि वेदाङ्गानि यथाक्रमम्

Transliteration

itihāsapurāṇāni vedāṅgāni vedāṅgāni yathākramam

Translation

Selon l’ordre convenable, on doit étudier les Itihāsa et les Purāṇa, et de même les Vedāṅga—chacun suivant la succession prescrite.

Word by Word

• इतिहासपुराणानि: the epics and purāṇas
• इतिहासपुराणानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इतिहास (प्रातिपदिक) + पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (इतिहास + पुराण)

• वेदाङ्गानि: the limbs of the Veda (vedāṅgas)
• वेदाङ्गानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वेदस्य अङ्गानि)

• वेदाङ्गानि: the vedāṅgas (repeated)
• वेदाङ्गानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वेदस्य अङ्गानि); पुनरुक्ति (repetition)

• यथाक्रमम्: in due order
• यथाक्रमम्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śāstra-adhyayana should follow proper sequence: Itihāsa–Purāṇa and Vedāṅga study in due order.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa-saṅgraha: disciplined approach to sources of knowledge supporting dharma and brahma-jijñāsā.

Application: Adopt a structured study plan: foundational texts first, then auxiliaries; learn with a teacher and consistent recitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213 (context: nyāsa/ācāra and preparatory disciplines)

Characters & Entities

• Vedas
• Vedangas
• Itihasas
• Puranas

FAQs

What is the importance of Itihasa and Purana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse places Itihāsa–Purāṇa alongside Vedic auxiliaries, indicating they are integral supports for understanding dharma and scriptural meaning when approached in proper order.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing structured scriptural learning, it implies that right knowledge (through Veda, Vedāṅga, Itihāsa, and Purāṇa) supports right conduct, which shapes karma and thus the soul’s post-death trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a disciplined learning path—study foundational teachings with reliable guidance, then use epics and Purāṇas to internalize ethics and ritual duties in daily life.