Shloka 10
Dharma, Purity, and the Inner Purpose of the Vedas
Karma-kāṇḍa Reoriented to Bhakti
द्रव्यस्य शुद्ध्यशुद्धी च द्रव्येण वचनेन च । संस्कारेणाथ कालेन महत्वाल्पतयाथवा ॥ १० ॥
dravyasya śuddhy-aśuddhī ca dravyeṇa vacanena ca saṁskāreṇātha kālena mahatvālpatayātha vā
Kesucian atau ketidakmurnian sesuatu objek ditetapkan melalui penggunaan objek lain, dengan kata-kata, ritual, kesan masa atau mengikut magnitud relatif.
Cloth is purified by application of clean water and contaminated by application of urine. The words of a saintly brāhmaṇa are pure, but the sound vibration of a materialistic person is contaminated by lust and envy. A saintly devotee explains actual purity to others, whereas a nondevotee makes false propaganda that leads innocent people to commit polluted, sinful activities. Pure rituals are those meant for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, while materialistic ceremonies are those that lead their followers into materialistic and demoniac activities. The word saṁskāreṇa also indicates that the purity or impurity of a particular object is ascertained according to the regulations of ritualistic performances. For example, a flower to be offered to the Deity must be purified with water. Flowers or food cannot be offered to the Deity, however, if they have been contaminated by being smelled or tasted before the offering. The word kālena indicates that certain substances are purified by time and others contaminated by time. Rainwater, for example, is considered pure after ten days’ time, and after three days in cases of emergency. On the other hand, certain foods decay in time and thus become impure. Mahatva indicates that great bodies of water do not become contaminated, and alpatayā means that a small amount of water can easily become polluted or stagnant. In the same way, a great soul is not polluted by occasional contact with materialistic persons, whereas one whose devotion to God is very small is easily carried away and put into doubt by bad association. In terms of combination with other substances, and in terms of speech, ritual, time and magnitude, the purity and impurity of all objects can be ascertained.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa explains that an object’s purity or impurity can be established through other substances, through mantras/authoritative words, through purificatory rites, through the passage of time, or by judging its relative sanctity and intended use.
Kṛṣṇa is instructing Uddhava on dharma and proper conduct, clarifying how purification works in practical life—so a devotee can live cleanly and sacredly while remaining focused on devotion.
Adopt a principle-based approach: cleanse with appropriate materials (water, soap, etc.), use prayer/mantra to sanctify actions, follow meaningful personal disciplines, allow time for recovery/renewal, and prioritize what is truly sacred and beneficial.