Shloka 19

Varṇāśrama-ācāra, Aśauca (Sūtaka) Regulations, and Prāyaścitta with Funeral-Rite Notes

Devanagari script

शिल्पिनः कारवो वैद्या दासीदासाश्च भृत्यकाः / अग्निमाञ्छ्रोत्रियो राजा सद्यः शौचाः प्रकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

śilpinaḥ kāravo vaidyā dāsīdāsāśca bhṛtyakāḥ / agnimāñchrotriyo rājā sadyaḥ śaucāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

Translation

ശില്പികൾ, കരവന്മാർ, വൈദ്യർ, ദാസി-ദാസന്മാർ, ഭൃത്യർ—അതുപോലെ അഗ്നി പാലിക്കുന്നവൻ, വേദപഠിതനായ ശ്രോത്രിയ ബ്രാഹ്മണൻ, രാജാവ്—ഇവർ ‘സദ്യഃ ശൗചം’ (തൽക്ഷണ ശുദ്ധി) ഉള്ളവരെന്ന് പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• शिल्पिनः: artisans
• शिल्पिनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिल्पिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• कारवः: craftsmen/workers
• कारवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• वैद्याः: physicians
• वैद्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• दासीदासाः: female and male servants
• दासीदासाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दासी (प्रातिपदिक) + दास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (समाहार/पुंवद्भाव), प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः—दासी च दासः च

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• भृत्यकाः: attendants/hirelings
• भृत्यकाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन

• अग्निमान्: one who keeps the sacred fire
• अग्निमान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि + मान् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—यस्य अग्निः अस्ति (one who maintains sacred fire)

• श्रोत्रियः: a Veda-learned Brahmin
• श्रोत्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रोत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• सद्यः: immediately
• सद्यः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सद्यः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• शौचाः: (are) pure/clean
• शौचाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन; विशेषणरूपेण ‘शुचयः/शुद्धाः’ अर्थे

• प्रकीर्तिताः: have been proclaimed
• प्रकीर्तिताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कीर्त् (धातु) → प्रकीर्तित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘have been declared’

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain roles/occupations are designated as having immediate purification (sadyah-śauca), enabling uninterrupted duty.

Vedantic Theme: Loka-saṅgraha: maintaining social order through role-based dharma; purity rules serve functional continuity rather than mere taboo.

Application: Apply role-specific purity rules without overextending restrictions; ensure essential services and governance continue while respecting śauca norms.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: social-legal milieu (sabha/rajya and household contexts)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.107 (classification of śauca categories)

FAQs

What is the importance of sadyaḥ-śauca (instant purity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse identifies specific duty-bound groups for whom purity is considered immediate, emphasizing uninterrupted performance of essential social and Vedic responsibilities.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuḍa Purāṇa theme that correct dharma and ritual order (including purity rules) sustains righteous living, which shapes post-death outcomes through karma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat purity rules as purpose-driven: maintain cleanliness and ethical discipline while ensuring essential duties (caregiving, public responsibility, sacred observances) are not neglected.