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

清らかな白衣をまとい、身を清浄に保ち、髪・髭・爪をほどよく整えるべきである。妻の前に不吉な姿で現れてはならず、一枚衣だけを着てはならず、また不適切な姿勢や落ち着かぬ状態であってはならない。

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.