Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

न तु मेहेन्नदीच्छायाभस्मगोष्टाम्बुवर्त्मसु / न प्रत्यग्न्यर्कगोसोमसन्ध्याम्बुस्त्रीद्विजन्मनाम्

Transliteration

na tu mehennadīcchāyābhasmagoṣṭāmbuvartmasu / na pratyagnyarkagosomasandhyāmbustrīdvijanmanām

Translation

Qu’on n’urine pas dans une rivière, à l’ombre, sur des cendres, dans une étable à vaches, dans l’eau ni sur les chemins ; et qu’un dvija (deux fois né) ne le fasse pas non plus en faisant face au feu, au soleil, à une vache, à la lune, à la sandhyā (crépuscule), à l’eau, à une femme ou à un brāhmaṇa.

Word by Word

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

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषण-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• मेहेत्: should urinate
• मेहेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मिह्/मेह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• नदी-च्छायाः: in the shade by a river
• नदी-च्छायाः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नदी (प्रातिपदिक) + छाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—नद्याः छाया (in the river’s shade)

• भस्म: on ashes
• भस्म: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• गोष्ट: in a cowshed
• गोष्ट: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• अम्बु: in water
• अम्बु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• वर्त्मसु: on paths/roads
• वर्त्मसु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्त्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन

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

• प्रति-अग्नि-अर्क-गो-सोम-सन्ध्या-अम्बु-स्त्री-द्विजन्मनाम्: in the presence of fire, sun, cow, moon, twilight, water, women, and the twice-born
• प्रति-अग्नि-अर्क-गो-सोम-सन्ध्या-अम्बु-स्त्री-द्विजन्मनाम्: Sambandha/Adhikarana (Reference/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + गो (प्रातिपदिक) + सोम (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बु (प्रातिपदिक) + स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + द्विजन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (enumeration) with ‘प्रति’ governing sense: (in the presence of/with respect to) fire, sun, cow, moon, twilight, water, women, and the twice-born

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Maintain ritual and social purity by avoiding urination in sacred/communal places and by not facing revered entities/times while doing so.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline of body supports discipline of mind; honoring sacred order (rita) reduces tamas and cultivates sattva.

Application: Respect shared spaces and sacred contexts; follow hygiene norms; cultivate mindful bodily conduct rather than impulsive behavior.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-pure spaces

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (shauca rules; bodily conduct and purity)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Surya (Arka)
• Soma (Moon)
• Brahmana
• Cow (Go)

FAQs

What is the importance of purity rules like this in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames bodily functions under dharma: avoiding sacred/ritually significant places and revered beings preserves śauca (purity) and cultivates restraint and reverence in daily life.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on karma and consequences?

Ācāra (right conduct) is presented as a karmic discipline: disrespecting sacred elements (fire, sun, sandhyā, water, cow, brāhmaṇa) is treated as adharma that accumulates demerit and obstructs spiritual progress.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Maintain hygienic, respectful behavior: avoid contaminating water sources and public paths, and observe cultural boundaries around worship spaces and revered persons—practicing śauca and mindfulness in everyday actions.