Shloka 37

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

शुक्लाम्बरधरो नीचकेशश्मश्रुनखः शुचिः / न भार्यादर्शने ऽश्रीयान्नैकवासा न संस्थितः

Transliteration

śuklāmbaradharo nīcakeśaśmaśrunakhaḥ śuciḥ / na bhāryādarśane 'śrīyānnaikavāsā na saṃsthitaḥ

Translation

Qu’il porte des vêtements blancs et propres, demeure pur, et tienne cheveux, barbe et ongles convenablement taillés. Qu’il ne se présente pas devant son épouse dans un état de mauvais augure ; qu’il ne se contente pas d’un seul vêtement, et qu’il ne demeure ni dans une posture inconvenante ni dans une condition instable.

Word by Word

• शुक्ल-अम्बर-धरः: wearing white garments
• शुक्ल-अम्बर-धरः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—शुक्लम् अम्बरं धरति इति

• नीच-केश-श्मश्रु-नखः: with modest/trimmed hair, beard, and nails
• नीच-केश-श्मश्रु-नखः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नीच (प्रातिपदिक) + केश (प्रातिपदिक) + श्मश्रु (प्रातिपदिक) + नख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-बहुपदः—नीचाः (अल्प/अविकृताः) केशाः श्मश्रूणि नखाश्च यस्य

• शुचिः: clean/pure
• शुचिः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• भार्या-दर्शने: in the presence/sight of the wife
• भार्या-दर्शने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार्या (प्रातिपदिक) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—भार्यायाः दर्शनम् (in seeing the wife)

• अश्रीयान्: not unseemly/without dignity
• अश्रीयान्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-श्रीमान्/अ-श्रीयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-समास/नकार-प्रत्ययः (negated: not splendid)

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• एक-वासा: wearing only one cloth
• एक-वासा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + वास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—एकं वासः यस्य (wearing only one garment)

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• संस्थितः: standing/posed (properly)
• संस्थितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (Past passive participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Shauca and regulated appearance/posture are part of sadachara; avoid inauspicious presentation and instability.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva cultivation through bodily and behavioral niyamas; harmony of external conduct with inner discipline.

Application: Maintain cleanliness, grooming, and respectful presence at home; avoid slovenliness and restless habits that disturb relationships and practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (shauca and daily conduct rules)

FAQs

What is the importance of purity (śauca) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames purity as visible discipline—clean clothing and well-kept body—supporting auspiciousness (śrī) and readiness for dharmic duties.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing disciplined conduct and auspicious living, it supports dharma, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links to favorable post-death outcomes and reduced suffering in Yama’s domain.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain cleanliness, grooming, and respectful presentation at home; treat daily life as preparation for sacred acts—regular routines that reinforce dignity, self-control, and harmony.