Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

वणिक् कृष्यादि वैश्ये स्याद्द्विजभक्तिश्च शूद्रके / अभक्ष्यभक्षणाच्चौर्यादगम्या गमनात्पतेत्

Transliteration

vaṇik kṛṣyādi vaiśye syāddvijabhaktiśca śūdrake / abhakṣyabhakṣaṇāccauryādagamyā gamanātpatet

Translation

വൈശ്യന് വ്യാപാരവും കൃഷിയും മുതലായ കർമ്മങ്ങൾ യുക്തം; ശൂദ്രന് ദ്വിജന്മാരോടുള്ള ഭക്തിസേവ യുക്തം. എന്നാൽ അഭക്ഷ്യം ഭക്ഷിക്കുക, മോഷണം, കൂടാതെ അഗമ്യഗമനം (അനുചിതബന്ധം) എന്നിവ മൂലം ധർമ്മത്തിൽ നിന്ന് പതനം സംഭവിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• वणिक्: merchant/trader
• वणिक्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वणिज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (प्रातिपदिक-रूपेण 'वणिक्')

• कृष्यादि: agriculture and the like
• कृष्यादि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृषि + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (कृषि-आदि = agriculture etc.)

• वैश्ये: in/for the vaiśya (class)
• वैश्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• द्विजभक्तिः: service/devotion to the twice-born
• द्विजभक्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (द्विज-भक्ति = devotion/service to twice-born)

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

• शूद्रके: in/for the śūdra
• शूद्रके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभक्ष्यभक्षणात्: from eating forbidden food
• अभक्ष्यभक्षणात्: Apadana (Cause/Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभक्ष्य + भक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अभक्ष्य-भक्षण = eating what is forbidden)

• चौर्यात्: from theft
• चौर्यात्: Apadana (Cause/Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चौर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अगम्यागमनात्: from illicit intercourse/going to the forbidden
• अगम्यागमनात्: Apadana (Cause/Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अगम्य + आगमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अगम्य-आगमन = going to one who should not be approached)

• पतॆत्: would fall (from dharma)/should fall
• पतॆत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पत् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Varṇa-appropriate duties (vaiśya: trade/agriculture; śūdra: service to twice-born) and causes of ‘fall’ (patana): forbidden food, theft, and illicit relations.

Vedantic Theme: Karma through conduct: adharmic actions degrade character and future outcomes; discipline as a prerequisite for inner clarity.

Application: Choose livelihood aligned with ethical norms; avoid exploitative acquisition (theft), harmful consumption, and boundary-violating relationships; adopt clear personal codes and accountability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (lists of patanīya acts; varṇāśrama conduct and prohibitions)

FAQs

What is the importance of varna-dharma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames righteous living through appropriate duties (trade/agriculture for Vaiśyas and service for Śūdras) and warns that violating core ethical restraints leads to patana (moral and karmic downfall).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By identifying actions that cause “falling” (forbidden consumption, theft, illicit relations), the verse points to karmic causes that can lead to suffering and adverse post-death consequences described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain honest livelihood, avoid taking what is not given, follow dietary/ethical restraints appropriate to one’s vows, and uphold sexual responsibility—these reduce harmful karma and support a disciplined, dharmic life.