Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā
आरोग्यं सर्वकामाप्तिरभ्यङ्गाद्भास्करादिषु / उपोषितस्य व्रतिनः कृत्तकेशस्य नापितैः
ārogyaṃ sarvakāmāptirabhyaṅgādbhāskarādiṣu / upoṣitasya vratinaḥ kṛttakeśasya nāpitaiḥ
Abhyanga (pijatan minyak suci) pada hari-hari mujur seperti Minggu dan lainnya mendatangkan kesehatan serta terpenuhinya segala keinginan. Ini dianjurkan bagi yang berpuasa, menjalani vrata, dan telah dipotong rambutnya oleh tukang cukur.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)
Dosha: Vata
Concept: Śauca and niyama: regulated oil-massage on auspicious days supports ārogya and kāma-artha fulfillment when aligned with vrata and ritual purity.
Vedantic Theme: Karma as supportive means (sādhana) for embodied life; purity of conduct as an aid to sattva.
Application: Schedule abhyaṅga on auspicious weekdays; keep vrata/fasting observances intact; maintain grooming/cleanliness as part of ritual readiness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: domestic/ritual space (snana-abhyaṅga context)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.128-131 (post-bath conduct and tarpaṇa procedure)
This verse presents abhyanga as a dharmic practice linked with bodily well-being and the successful attainment of aims when done on auspicious occasions such as Bhāskara’s day (Sunday).
It ties personal rites—fasting (upoṣa), vow-keeping (vrata), and regulated grooming (kṛttakeśa by nāpita)—to auspicious conduct, reflecting the text’s emphasis on disciplined observance.
Maintain disciplined observances during vratas—cleanliness, restraint, and intentional self-care—treating bodily routines as supportive to spiritual commitments rather than mere luxury.