Shloka 26
Varṇāśrama-ācāra, Aśauca (Sūtaka) Regulations, and Prāyaścitta with Funeral-Rite Notes
बालहत्या त्वगमनादृतौ च स्त्री तु सूकरि / अगम्या व्रतकारिण्यो भ्रष्टपानोदकक्रियाः
bālahatyā tvagamanādṛtau ca strī tu sūkari / agamyā vratakāriṇyo bhraṣṭapānodakakriyāḥ
ಬಾಲಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಸ್ತ್ರೀ, ಋತು ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಮಿಸುವ ಸ್ತ್ರೀ, ಸೂಕರಿಯಂತೆ ಅಗಮ್ಯರ ಬಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಸ್ತ್ರೀ; ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ವ್ರತವನ್ನು ನಾಟಕವಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದು ಪಾನ-ಉದಕಾದಿ ನಿಯತ ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬಿಟ್ಟುಬಿಡುವವರು—ಇವರು ಪಾಪಿನಿಯರೆಂದು ಎಣೆಯಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾರೆ.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vainateya)
Concept: Certain acts—infanticide, intercourse during ṛtu (menstruation), forbidden sexual relations, and hypocritical vow-taking with abandonment of libation rites—are classified as pāpa.
Vedantic Theme: Adharma clouds sattva and deepens saṃsāric bondage; integrity (anṛta-vrata avoidance) is essential for inner purification.
Application: Avoid harmful/forbidden acts; practice vows only with sincerity; maintain prescribed daily/ancestral water-offerings where applicable, or their ethical equivalents (regular remembrance, duty, and care).
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: social/ritual sphere
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.107 (pāpa lists; conduct rules)
FAQs
This verse exemplifies how the Garuda Purana classifies specific acts—harm to children, forbidden sexual conduct, and hypocritical vow-keeping—as adharma that generates severe negative karma.
By enumerating transgressions, the text frames the moral causes that later determine post-death experiences and suffering; such lists function as a karmic map used in the broader Vishnu–Garuda dialogue.
Avoid harm, uphold sexual and ethical restraint, and practice religious observances sincerely—especially maintaining essential duties rather than performing vows as mere display.