Shloka 157

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

Devanagari script

हस्तेन परिमार्ज्याथ कुर्यात्ताम्बूलभक्षणम् / श्रवणं चेतिहासस्य तत्कुर्यात्सुसमाहितः

Transliteration

hastena parimārjyātha kuryāttāmbūlabhakṣaṇam / śravaṇaṃ cetihāsasya tatkuryātsusamāhitaḥ

Translation

അതിനുശേഷം കൈകൊണ്ട് വായ് തുടച്ച് താംബൂലം (പാൻ) ചവയ്ക്കണം. പിന്നെ ഇതിഹാസരൂപമായ പുണ്യകഥകൾ പൂർണ്ണ ഏകാഗ്രതയോടും സമചിത്തത്തോടും കൂടി ശ്രവിക്കണം.

Word by Word

• हस्तेन: with the hand
• हस्तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन

• परिमार्ज्य: having wiped/cleansed
• परिमार्ज्य: Kriya (Adverbial action/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि+मृज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having wiped/cleansed’

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्बन्ध/अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (particle: then/now)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• ताम्बूलभक्षणम्: chewing of betel (betel-eating)
• ताम्बूलभक्षणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ताम्बूलस्य भक्षणम्)

• श्रवणम्: listening
• श्रवणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction: and)

• इतिहासस्य: of the itihāsa (legend/history)
• इतिहासस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इतिहास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• तत्: that (act/that listening)
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• सु-समाहितः: well-composed, attentive
• सु-समाहितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + समाहित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सम्+आ+धा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सु + समाहितः)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ācāra as daily self-regulation: bodily cleanliness, controlled enjoyment (tāmbūla), and śravaṇa of itihāsa with ekāgratā.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (purification of mind) as a support for dharma and devotion.

Application: After cleansing, keep speech and senses restrained; consume permissible comforts moderately; schedule daily listening/reading of sacred narratives with full attention (no multitasking).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213 (ācāra/dinacaryā sequence continuing into sandhyā); Garuda Purana 1.214 (transition into bath/ritual requisites)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of listening to itihāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats śravaṇa (listening) as a dharmic act that should be done with mental steadiness; the emphasis is on attentive reception of sacred teaching, not casual hearing.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ritual discipline?

It presents a small sequence of proper conduct—cleansing/wiping, then chewing tāmbūla, and then listening to sacred narration—showing that bodily etiquette and mental focus support religious observance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain cleanliness and mindful habits, and when engaging with scripture or spiritual teachings, listen with full attention rather than multitasking.