Shloka 57

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

Devanagari script

श्रुतिस्मृत्युक्तमाचारं कुर्यान्मर्मणि न स्पृशेत् / न निन्दाताडने कुर्यात्सुतं शिष्यं च ताडयेत्

Transliteration

śrutismṛtyuktamācāraṃ kuryānmarmaṇi na spṛśet / na nindātāḍane kuryātsutaṃ śiṣyaṃ ca tāḍayet

Translation

シュルティとスムリティに説かれた作法を実践すべきである。急所に触れて打ってはならず、罵倒や非難のために罰してはならない—ただし、子と弟子は教えのために戒めてよい。

Word by Word

• श्रुतिस्मृत्युक्तम्: taught in śruti and smṛti
• श्रुतिस्मृत्युक्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रुति (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मृति (प्रातिपदिक) + उक्त (कृदन्त; √वच् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘आचारम्’ इति विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः—श्रुतिस्मृत्योः उक्तम्

• आचारम्: proper conduct
• आचारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do/practice
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मर्मणि: on a vital spot
• मर्मणि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

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

• स्पृशेत्: should touch
• स्पृशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्पृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

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

• निन्दाताडने: in scolding and beating
• निन्दाताडने: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निन्दा (प्रातिपदिक) + ताडन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (निन्दा च ताडनं च)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सुतम्: son
• सुतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• शिष्यम्: student
• शिष्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

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

• ताडयेत्: should beat/chastise
• ताडयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ताड् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in discourse to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dharma-guided correction: follow śruti-smṛti ācāra; avoid striking marmas (vital points); do not punish from abusive blame; disciplined instruction for son and student is allowed when measured.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsa and sattva-preserving conduct; governance of anger (krodha-nigraha) as inner purification.

Application: Correct others without cruelty; avoid harm; set clear rules and consequences; teach through example and calm authority.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: gurukula/household training space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (ācāra and household ethics)

FAQs

What is the importance of śruti-smṛti based conduct in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames daily ethics as grounded in śruti and smṛti, presenting dharma as scripture-aligned behavior rather than personal impulse—especially in matters like punishment and correction.

How does this verse explain right discipline versus cruelty?

It permits discipline for son and student, but forbids striking vital points and forbids punishment driven by nindā (abusive blame), distinguishing corrective training from harmful violence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Correct others only with restraint and purpose: avoid humiliating speech, avoid harmful force, and keep discipline proportional, safe, and aimed at moral improvement.