Shloka 36

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

श्लेष्माश्रदूषिका स्वेदो द्वादशैते नृणां मलाः / मन्येत यावता शुद्धिं तावच्छौचं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

śleṣmāśradūṣikā svedo dvādaśaite nṛṇāṃ malāḥ / manyeta yāvatā śuddhiṃ tāvacchaucaṃ samācaret

Translation

ಶ್ಲೇಷ್ಮ, ಕಣ್ಣೀರು, ಮೂಗಿನ ಮಲಿನ, ಬೆವರು—ಇವು ಮಾನವರ ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ಮಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಗಣಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿವೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ತಾನು ಶುದ್ಧನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ ಎಂದು ಭಾವಿಸುವವರೆಗೆ ಶೌಚವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಬೇಕು.

Word by Word

• श्लेष्मा: phlegm
• श्लेष्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्लेष्मन्/श्लेष्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अश्र: tear
• अश्र: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्रु/अश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'tear'

• दूषिका: impure discharge
• दूषिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूषिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; दूषण-जन्य-रोग/स्रावविशेषः (impurity/discharge)

• स्वेदः: sweat
• स्वेदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• द्वादश: twelve
• द्वादश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सङ्ख्यावाचक-विशेषणम्; अव्ययवत् (indeclinable numeral), (एते) इति पदस्य विशेषणम्

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• नृणाम्: of men/people
• नृणाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• मलाः: impurities
• मलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• मन्येत: should consider
• मन्येत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); आत्मनेपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यावता: as much as
• यावता: Kriya-Visheshana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यावत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; परिमाण/अवधिवाचकः—'by as much as/so far as'

• शुद्धिम्: purity
• शुद्धिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तावता: by that much
• तावता: Kriya-Visheshana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तावत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया, एकवचन; तदनुरूप-परिमाणवाचकः—'by that much'

• शौचम्: purification
• शौचम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• समाचरेत्: should perform/practice
• समाचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Twelve human impurities are enumerated; śauca is to be observed until purity is reasonably ascertained.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka in practice: rules culminate in informed self-judgment; supports sattva through cleanliness.

Application: Treat phlegm, tears, nasal discharge, sweat (along with prior listed substances) as impurities; continue cleansing practices until one is satisfied of purity (within śāstric bounds and common sense).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: household/āśrama cleansing context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.35 (first eight impurities); Garuda Purana 1.213.32-34 (mṛttikā measures and śauca timing)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of śauca (cleanliness) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames śauca as a practical dharmic discipline: since the body produces recognized impurities, one should maintain cleanliness until a sense of purity is restored.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals?

Garuda Purana frequently links purity to eligibility for rites; this verse provides the underlying principle—purification should be observed whenever bodily impurities arise, supporting the broader ritual framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat cleanliness as a mindful practice: after contact with bodily secretions (sweat, mucus, tears, etc.), wash and restore hygienic/ritual cleanliness before prayer, worship, or sacred duties.