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Shloka 53

Adhyāya 42 — Mahābhūta–Indriya–Adhyātma-Vyavasthā

Brahmā’s Instruction on Elements and Faculties

रजस्वलमथादृशथ्यं त्रिगुणं च त्रिधातुकम्‌ । संसर्गाभिरतं मूढं शरीरमिति धारणा

rajasvalam athādṛśathyaṃ triguṇaṃ ca tridhātukam | saṃsargābhirataṃ mūḍhaṃ śarīram iti dhāraṇā

रजस्वलमथादृश्यं त्रिगुणं च त्रिधातुकम् । संसर्गाभिरतं मूढं शरीरमिति धारणा ॥

रजस्वलम्menstruating/impure (with rajas)
रजस्वलम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootरजस्वल
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
अथthen/now
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
अदृशथ्यम्unreliable/uncertain (hard to trust/see clearly)
अदृशथ्यम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootअदृशथ्य
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
त्रिगुणम्having the three guṇas
त्रिगुणम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootत्रिगुण
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
त्रिधातुकम्consisting of three dhātus/constituents
त्रिधातुकम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootत्रिधातुक
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
संसर्गाभिरतम्delighting in contact/association
संसर्गाभिरतम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसंसर्गाभिरत
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
मूढम्deluded/ignorant
मूढम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootमूढ
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
शरीरम्body
शरीरम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootशरीर
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
इतिthus/so (quotative)
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
धारणाcontemplation/holding (as a mental fixation)
धारणा:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootधारणा
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular

वायुदेव उवाच

V
Vāyu-deva
Ś
śarīra (the body)
T
triguṇa (sattva-rajas-tamas)
T
tridhātu (vāta-pitta-śleṣman/kapha)

Educational Q&A

The verse teaches a dhāraṇā (disciplined contemplation) that views the body as guṇa-bound, humor-constituted, and prone to deluded craving for contact. By seeing the body’s instability and impurity, one reduces attachment and strengthens ethical self-mastery aligned with dharma.

Vāyu-deva is instructing a contemplative practice: a way of holding a clear, sobering perception of the body. The instruction functions as spiritual counsel—redirecting attention from sensual entanglement toward restraint, discernment, and inner steadiness.