Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā
त्रिः स्नाता स्नापिता भैक्ष्यं गुरौ प्राणान्तिकी स्थितिः / समेखलो जटी दण्डी मुण्डी वा गुरुसंश्रयः
triḥ snātā snāpitā bhaikṣyaṃ gurau prāṇāntikī sthitiḥ / samekhalo jaṭī daṇḍī muṇḍī vā gurusaṃśrayaḥ
彼は一日に三度沐浴し、他者の清めにも助力し(沐浴を手伝い)、托鉢によって生き、命の尽きるまで師に帰依して離れない。単一の腰紐を締め、結髪のまま、杖を携え、あるいは剃髪していても—グル(師)に依り頼むべきである。
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)
Concept: Brahmacārin’s austerities: thrice-daily bathing, assisting purification, living on alms, unwavering devotion to the guru; external marks of discipline and refuge in the teacher.
Vedantic Theme: Śama-dama and śauca as prerequisites for steadiness of mind; surrender to the teacher as doorway to knowledge.
Application: Adopt consistent purification/discipline practices; live simply; maintain loyalty to authentic teachers and long-term learning commitments.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: ashrama
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213 (brahmacarya regimen continuation)
This verse treats reliance on the Guru as the anchor of renunciate life—guidance, restraint, and right conduct are to be maintained under the Guru’s shelter, even until one’s last breath.
While not describing the afterlife directly, it establishes the ethical and ritual discipline (purity, alms-living, and steadfastness) that the Garuda Purana presents as supportive of dharmic progress and spiritual steadiness.
Maintain daily disciplines, live simply, seek guidance from a qualified teacher/mentor, and prioritize integrity and self-restraint over display—outer marks matter less than sustained, life-long commitment to dharma.