Shloka 43

Ācamana-vidhi, Śauca, and Conduct Rules for Study, Eating, and Bodily Functions

Devanagari script

आहृत्य मृत्तिकां कूलाल्लेपगन्धापकर्षणम् / कुर्यादतन्द्रितः शौचं विशुद्धैरुद्धृतोदकैः

Transliteration

āhṛtya mṛttikāṃ kūlāllepagandhāpakarṣaṇam / kuryādatandritaḥ śaucaṃ viśuddhairuddhṛtodakaiḥ

Translation

川岸から清らかな土を取って来て、付着した穢れと悪臭を拭い去り、ついで怠ることなく、正しく汲み上げた清水によって浄め（śauca）を行うべきである。

Word by Word

• āhṛtya: having brought
• āhṛtya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषणम्)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘आहृत्य’ = having brought

• mṛttikām: clay/earth
• mṛttikām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mṛttikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• kūlāt: from the bank/shore
• kūlāt: Apādāna (अपादानम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; अपादान (from)

• lepa-gandha-apakarṣaṇam: removal of smear and odor
• lepa-gandha-apakarṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lepa (प्रातिपदिक) + gandha (प्रातिपदिक) + apakarṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘लेपस्य गन्धस्य अपकर्षणम्’ = removal of coating and smell

• kuryāt: should do
• kuryāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• atandritaḥ: being diligent
• atandritaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + tandrita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम्—‘अतन्द्रित’ = not lazy/attentive

• śaucam: purification/cleanliness rite
• śaucam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śauca (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• viśuddhaiḥ: with pure (ones/means)
• viśuddhaiḥ: Karaṇa (करणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśuddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• uddhṛta-udakaiḥ: with drawn (fresh) water
• uddhṛta-udakaiḥ: Karaṇa (करणम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uddhṛta (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + udaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘उद्धृतम् उदकम्’ = drawn-up water

Speaker

Sūta (narrating traditional dharma instructions of the Kūrma Purāṇa)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Śauca
• Mṛttikā
• Udaka

More Details (4 sections)

FAQs

How does this verse explain the nature of the Supreme Self (Atman)?

It does so indirectly: by prescribing śauca (outer purity) as a dharmic discipline, it supports the inner clarity (antaḥśuddhi) needed for recognizing the Self beyond bodily impurity and sensory aversion.

What Yoga or Meditative practices are highlighted here?

The verse highlights śauca—one of the key preparatory disciplines for yoga and mantra practice—using earth and pure drawn water to remove impurity and odor, cultivating attentiveness (atandritā) as a yogic virtue.

How does this verse depict the relationship between Shiva and Vishnu?

By focusing on shared dharmic foundations (purity, discipline, and right conduct) that underlie both Śaiva (including Pāśupata) and Vaiṣṇava sādhanā, it reflects the Purāṇa’s synthesis without asserting sectarian difference in practice.