Shloka 7
An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya
ब्राह्मो विवाह आहूय दीयते शक्त्यलङ्कृता / तज्जः पुनात्युभयतः पुरुषोनेकविंशतिम्
brāhmo vivāha āhūya dīyate śaktyalaṅkṛtā / tajjaḥ punātyubhayataḥ puruṣonekaviṃśatim
ബ്രാഹ്മ വിവാഹത്തിൽ വരനെ ആദരപൂർവ്വം ക്ഷണിച്ച്, ശേഷിയനുസരിച്ച് അലങ്കരിച്ച കന്യയെ ദാനം ചെയ്യുന്നു. ആ സംഗമത്തിൽ ജനിച്ച പുത്രൻ ഇരുവശത്തും ഇരുപത്തൊന്ന് പേരെ/പുരുഷന്മാരെ ശുദ്ധീകരിക്കുന്നു।
Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Brāhma vivāha: bride is given after inviting the groom; the son born thereof purifies twenty-one persons on both sides.
Vedantic Theme: Saṃskāra and puṇya as supports for inner purification; family-line merit framed as collective uplift through dharmic rites.
Application: Perform life-cycle rites with sincerity and proportional simplicity (‘śakty-alaṅkṛta’); cultivate responsibility for family welfare and ethical continuity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (vivāha types and fruits)
FAQs
This verse treats Brāhma vivāha as a highly meritorious dharmic marriage, emphasizing respectful invitation of the groom and gifting the bride adorned according to one’s means.
It states that a son born from a Brāhma marriage purifies ‘twenty-one persons’ on both maternal and paternal sides, indicating broad ancestral benefit through righteous samskāra.
Conduct marriage with dignity, consent, and dharmic intent—prioritizing respectful rites and avoiding show or coercion—so family life supports ethical living and spiritual merit.