Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

दक्षिकाले विवाहादौ देवद्विजनिमन्त्रिते / पूर्वसंकल्पिते वापि नाशौचं मृतसूतके

Transliteration

dakṣikāle vivāhādau devadvijanimantrite / pūrvasaṃkalpite vāpi nāśaucaṃ mṛtasūtake

Translation

Pada waktu yang mujur—seperti ketika perkahwinan dan upacara seumpamanya—apabila para dewa dan golongan dwija (Brahmana) telah dijemput, atau apabila suatu upacara telah pun ditetapkan dengan niat (saṅkalpa) terlebih dahulu, maka tiadalah aśauca (kenajisan ritual), walaupun berlaku mṛta-sūtaka (kenajisan kerana kematian atau kelahiran).

Word by Word

• दक्षि-काले: at the southern time (dakṣiṇāyana period)
• दक्षि-काले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षि-काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (दक्षिणस्य कालः)

• विवाह-आदौ: at (the time of) marriage etc.
• विवाह-आदौ: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवाह (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समासः (विवाहादौ = विवाहे आदौ)

• देव-द्विज-निमन्त्रिते: when gods and twice-born are invited
• देव-द्विज-निमन्त्रिते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + निमन्त्रित (कृदन्त; √मन्त्र् (धातु) + नि उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण; समासः तत्पुरुषः (देवद्विजैः निमन्त्रिते)

• पूर्व-संकल्पिते: when pre-arranged / previously resolved
• पूर्व-संकल्पिते: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + संकल्पित (कृदन्त; √कॢप्/कल्प् (धातु) + सम् उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; कर्मधारयः (पूर्वं संकल्पिते)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-निपात (also/even)

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

• अशौचम्: impurity (mourning impurity)
• अशौचम्: Karma/Pradhana (Predicate/कर्म-प्राय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अशौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; वाक्ये विधेय-नाम (predicate noun)

• मृत-सूतके: in the death-related birth/death impurity period
• मृत-सूतके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + सूतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मृतस्य सूतके)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aśauca exceptions: when an auspicious rite is underway or pre-resolved (pūrva-saṅkalpita), incidental mṛta/sūtaka does not obstruct the sacrament.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as niyati for social-ritual harmony; intention (saṅkalpa) and context shape adhikāra without negating compassion or order.

Application: In time-sensitive saṃskāras (e.g., marriage), follow śāstric exceptions: maintain the rite’s continuity if properly initiated/invited, while observing appropriate post-rite precautions per local dharma guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (vivāha-maṇḍapa, yajña-śālā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222 (aśauca/sūtaka-prakaraṇa context)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Dvijas (Brāhmaṇas)
• Aśauca
• Sūtaka

FAQs

What is the importance of aśauca (ritual impurity) exceptions in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that dharma recognizes practical exceptions: once a major rite like marriage is fixed by saṅkalpa and invitations are issued, the rite is not automatically blocked by sudden mṛta-sūtaka.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

It clarifies that while death/birth impurity normally restricts ritual activity, certain pre-committed auspicious ceremonies may proceed, showing how purity rules are applied contextually within dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If an unavoidable family death/birth occurs near a scheduled major rite, consult qualified priests: the Garuda Purana framework allows dharmic continuity for pre-sanctioned ceremonies while still honoring necessary rites and sensitivities.