Shloka 28

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

बन्धुभिश्च स्त्रियः पूज्या भूषणाच्छादनाशनैः / संयतो पस्करा दक्षा हृष्टा व्ययपराङ्मुखी

Transliteration

bandhubhiśca striyaḥ pūjyā bhūṣaṇācchādanāśanaiḥ / saṃyato paskarā dakṣā hṛṣṭā vyayaparāṅmukhī

Translation

Les femmes doivent être honorées par leurs proches au moyen d’ornements, de vêtements et de nourriture. Qu’elle soit maîtresse d’elle‑même, florissante, compétente, joyeuse et détournée des dépenses prodigues.

Word by Word

• बन्धुभिः: by/with kinsmen
• बन्धुभिः: Sahakāraka (Associate/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/सह), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

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

• स्त्रियः: women
• स्त्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• पूज्याः: to be honored
• पूज्याः: Karta-pradhāna (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूज्य (कृदन्त; पूज् धातु (धातु) + यत्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेयविशेषण; gerundive (to be honored)

• भूषण: ornament
• भूषण: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• आच्छादन: clothing/covering
• आच्छादन: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आच्छादन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• आशनैः: with ornaments, clothing, and food
• आशनैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (भूषण+आच्छादन+आशन) समाहारद्वन्द्व; Instrumental plural

• संयता: self-restrained
• संयता: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संयत (कृदन्त; यम् धातु (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; past participle used adjectivally

• पस्करा: clean/neat (well-groomed)
• पस्करा: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पस्करा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गुणवाचक विशेषण

• दक्षा: skilled/competent
• दक्षा: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गुणवाचक विशेषण

• हृष्टा: cheerful
• हृष्टा: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट (कृदन्त; हृष् धातु (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; past participle used adjectivally

• व्यय: expense
• व्यय: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• पराङ्मुखी: averse to spending
• पराङ्मुखी: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पराङ्मुखी (प्रातिपदिक; पराङ् + मुखिन्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (व्ययस्य पराङ्मुखी)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Strī-pūjā (honoring women) and household discipline as a support for dharma and prosperity.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as a purifying framework that steadies the mind (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi) and supports sattva in worldly life.

Application: Ensure women in the family are materially cared for (food, clothing, ornaments as per means) and cultivate self-control, competence, cheerfulness, and non-wastefulness in household management.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: household

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (gṛhastha/strī-dharma sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of honoring women in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames honoring women as a core element of household dharma—relatives should provide dignity and care through essentials and respectful treatment.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes righteous conduct (dharma) in family life, which the Garuda Purana treats as foundational for good karma that supports a favorable post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Ensure women in the family are treated with respect and materially supported, while cultivating self-control, competence, cheerfulness, and avoiding wasteful spending in the household.