Shloka 20

Vrata-Niyama: Fasting Purity, Brahmakūrcha, Naktāhāra, and Kāla-Nirṇaya

Ritual Timing

Devanagari script

असामर्थ्ये शरीरस्य पुत्रादीन्कारयेद्व्रतम् / व्रतस्थं मूर्छितं विप्रं जलादीन्यनुपाययेत्

Transliteration

asāmarthye śarīrasya putrādīnkārayedvratam / vratasthaṃ mūrchitaṃ vipraṃ jalādīnyanupāyayet

Translation

Quando o corpo estiver incapaz, faça-se cumprir o vrata por meio dos filhos e de outros dependentes. E se um brāhmaṇa em observância do voto desmaiar, deve-se dar-lhe suavemente água e outros auxílios necessários.

Word by Word

• असामर्थ्ये: in inability
• असामर्थ्ये: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-सामर्थ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• शरीरस्य: of the body
• शरीरस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• पुत्रादीन्: sons and others
• पुत्रादीन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; पुत्र + आदि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), बहुवचन; ‘पुत्रादि’ इति तत्पुरुषः (पुत्रः आदिः येषाम्)

• कारयेत्: should cause (them) to perform
• कारयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative: ‘to cause to do’)

• व्रतम्: the vow
• व्रतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• व्रतस्थम्: observing the vow
• व्रतस्थम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्रत-स्थ (प्रातिपदिक; व्रत + स्थ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘विप्रम्’ इत्यस्य; तत्पुरुषः (व्रते स्थितः)

• मूर्छितम्: fainted
• मूर्छितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मूर्छित (कृदन्त; मूर्छ् धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• विप्रम्: a brahmin
• विप्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• जलादीनि: water and the like
• जलादीनि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; जल + आदि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), बहुवचन; ‘जलादि’ इति तत्पुरुषः (जलम् आदिः—etc.)

• अनुपाययेत्: should give to drink
• अनुपाययेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative: ‘to make drink’), उपसर्ग: अनु-

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When physically unable, one may fulfill vrata through dependents; and one must protect the life/health of a vow-observer—especially a brāhmaṇa—by offering water and restoratives.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma integrates intention, capacity, and compassion; ahiṃsā and preservation of life temper austerity; service (sevā) supports sacred practice.

Application: If illness prevents observance, delegate permissible components to trusted family; prioritize safety during fasting/austerities; provide hydration and immediate care to anyone who faints during religious observance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: sections on vrata procedure and exceptions due to incapacity (aśakti); Garuda Purana: honoring and protecting brāhmaṇas and guests (atithi-dharma)

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa (vipra)
• sons (putra)

FAQs

What is the importance of allowing a vow to be performed by sons in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches dharma with practicality: when health fails, the religious intention and continuity of observance may be upheld through one’s sons or dependents rather than abandoning the vow.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader focus on dharma and post-death rites?

By emphasizing continuity through descendants and humane care during observances, it aligns with the text’s wider principle that family-supported duties (including ritual responsibilities) sustain dharma across life events, including sickness and death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not turn spiritual practice into self-harm: if fasting or vows cause collapse, prioritize care (water/aid) and, when needed, delegate observances responsibly while keeping the ethical intent intact.