Shloka 4

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

दशपूरुषविख्याताच्छ्रोत्रियाणां महाकुलात् / सवर्णः श्रोत्रियो विद्वान्वरो दोषान्वितो न च

Transliteration

daśapūruṣavikhyātācchrotriyāṇāṃ mahākulāt / savarṇaḥ śrotriyo vidvānvaro doṣānvito na ca

Translation

十代にわたり名高いヴェーダ学匠（śrotriya）の大名門に生まれ、同じヴァルナに属し、自らも学識あるśrotriyaで、欠点なき者は、最上の選択とみなされる。

Word by Word

• दश: ten
• दश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; संख्यावाचक (numeral)

• पूरुष: persons; generations
• पूरुष: Sambandha (Genitival relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासमध्यपद; पुंलिङ्ग (as member)

• विख्यातात्: from (a family) renowned
• विख्यातात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-ख्यात (कृदन्त; √ख्या (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• श्रोत्रियाणाम्: of learned Vedic scholars
• श्रोत्रियाणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• महाकुलात्: from a great family
• महाकुलात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—महाकुल (महद् कुलम्)

• सवर्णः: of the same varṇa
• सवर्णः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—सवर्ण (समानवर्णः)

• श्रोत्रियः: a Vedic scholar
• श्रोत्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विद्वान्: learned, wise
• विद्वान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वरः: a bridegroom; excellent one
• वरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दोष: faults, defects
• दोष: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद; पुंलिङ्ग (as member)

• अन्वितः: endowed with; accompanied by
• अन्वितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्वित (कृदन्त; √इ (धातु) + क्त, उपसर्ग अनु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नञ्-निषेधेन सह (negated later)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• च: and; also
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Varāṇāṃ lakṣaṇa: the groom should be same varṇa, a learned śrotriya, from a renowned ten-generation lineage of Vedic scholars, and free from defects.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva through saṃskāra and śāstra-vidyā; continuity of dharma via qualified transmitters of Veda.

Application: In spouse selection, value character, education/competence, and family stability; avoid unions with known harmful ‘doṣa’ (ethical/health/social impediments).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (qualities of bride/groom; vivāha norms)

FAQs

What is the importance of choosing a śrotriya in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that ritual efficacy depends on selecting a Veda-grounded śrotriya from a reputable lineage, of the same varṇa, who is learned and free from disqualifying defects.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly—by emphasizing proper ritual agents for śrāddha and related rites, it supports the dharmic framework believed to aid the deceased and ancestors through correct post-death observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

For śrāddha or memorial rites, prioritize an officiant known for Vedic learning, ethical conduct, and community trust rather than mere convenience or cost.