Shloka 42

Prāyaścitta for Food-Contact, Social Contact, Aśauca Periods, and Formal Penance Systems

Devanagari script

द्विरात्रतः क्षत्रिया च शुद्धा वैश्या ह्युपोषिता / शूद्रा स्नानेन शुध्येत्तु द्रोणार्थं न विसर्जयेत्

Transliteration

dvirātrataḥ kṣatriyā ca śuddhā vaiśyā hyupoṣitā / śūdrā snānena śudhyettu droṇārthaṃ na visarjayet

Translation

ക്ഷത്രിയ സ്ത്രീ രണ്ട് രാത്രികൾക്കകം ശുദ്ധിയാകും; വൈശ്യ സ്ത്രീ ഉപവാസംകൊണ്ട് ശുദ്ധിയാകും. ശൂദ്ര സ്ത്രീ സ്നാനത്താൽ ശുദ്ധിയാകും; എന്നാൽ വെറും ഉപജീവനമോ ധനലാഭമോ വേണ്ടി വിധിയെ ഉപേക്ഷിക്കരുത്.

Word by Word

• द्वि-रात्रतः: after two nights
• द्वि-रात्रतः: Apadana (Ablative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + रात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (तस्-प्रत्ययान्त): द्विरात्रतः = द्विरात्रात् (from/after two nights); द्विगु-आधार

• क्षत्रिया: the Kshatriya woman
• क्षत्रिया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

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

• शुद्धा: purified
• शुद्धा: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (to क्षत्रिया)

• वैश्या: the Vaishya woman
• वैश्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/अवधारणार्थक-निपात (indeed/for)

• उपोषिता: having fasted
• उपोषिता: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपोषित (कृदन्त; √उपवस्/वस् (धातु) + उप उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषण (to वैश्या)

• शूद्रा: the Shudra woman
• शूद्रा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्नानेन: by bathing
• स्नानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• शुध्येत्: should become purified
• शुध्येत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शुध्/शुच् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेष/विरोधार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• द्रोण-अर्थम्: for (the sake of) a droṇa-measure (of grain etc.)
• द्रोण-अर्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (द्रोणस्य अर्थम् = for the sake of a droṇa-measure)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• विसर्जयेत्: should give up/abandon
• विसर्जयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √सृज् (धातु) + वि (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Graded śuddhi: kṣatriya—two nights; vaiśya—fasting; śūdra—bathing; and do not abandon prescribed observance for the sake of livelihood/material gain (dronārtha).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma-artha balance: artha is subordinate to dharma; self-restraint (tapas) preserves inner integrity and social trust.

Application: Follow one’s prescribed purification discipline; when economic pressure tempts shortcuts, choose minimally compliant, ethically sound observance (and seek community support) rather than abandoning dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/ritual hygiene setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222 (graded śuddhi and dharma-over-artha admonition)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse emphasizes that ritual purity is restored through specific, dharma-based means (time, fasting, bathing), enabling a person to resume sacred duties and related rites without violating śāstric discipline.

Does this verse describe the soul’s journey after death?

Indirectly: it addresses the living person’s purification rules (śauca/aśauca) that support correct performance of post-death obligations and rites, which the Garuda Purana links to orderly dharmic conduct around death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a clear, consistent purification discipline (such as fasting or bathing as appropriate) and avoid skipping essential observances merely for convenience or financial pressure; prioritize integrity in religious and ethical duties.