Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

ये प्रत्यवसिता विप्रा वज्राग्निपवनादिषु / अन्नपानादि संगृह्य चिकीर्षन्ति गृहान्तरम्

Transliteration

ye pratyavasitā viprā vajrāgnipavanādiṣu / annapānādi saṃgṛhya cikīrṣanti gṛhāntaram

Translation

พราหมณ์ผู้มีความแน่วแน่ท่ามกลางภัยพิบัติ เช่น ฟ้าผ่า ไฟ และลมพายุรุนแรง ครั้นรวบรวมเสบียงคืออาหารและน้ำดื่มแล้ว ย่อมประสงค์ย้ายไปสู่เรือนอื่น

Word by Word

• ये: who (those)
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• प्रत्यवसिताः: having resolved/decided
• प्रत्यवसिताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रति+अव+√सद् (धातु) → प्रत्यवसित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past participle), विशेषण

• विप्राः: Brahmins
• विप्राः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• वज्राग्निपवनादिषु: in (matters like) thunderbolt, fire, wind, etc.
• वज्राग्निपवनादिषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र + अग्नि + पवन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; समासः—वज्र-अग्नि-पवन-आदि (इत्यादि) + -षु

• अन्नपानादि: food, drink, etc.
• अन्नपानादि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न + पान + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—अन्न-पान-आदि (food, drink, etc.)

• संगृह्य: having collected
• संगृह्य: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्+√ग्रह् (धातु) → संगृह्य (क्त्वान्त/अव्ययकृदन्त)
• Form: अव्यय; क्त्वान्त (gerund), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• चिकीर्षन्ति: wish to do/intend
• चिकीर्षन्ति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) (desiderative/सन्नन्त: चिकीर्ष)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; सन्नन्त-धातु (desiderative)

• गृहान्तरम्: another house/inside a house
• गृहान्तरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—गृह-अन्तर (another house)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: आपद्-धर्म (conduct in times of calamity) with prudent preparation and relocation.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as situational duty (yathā-śakti) while preserving sattva and social order.

Application: Maintain emergency provisions; prioritize safety; relocate when conditions threaten life and ritual stability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/settlement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222 (context: śauca/prāyaścitta and conduct in contingencies)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmins (Vipras)
• Agni
• Vayu

FAQs

What is the importance of preparedness in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights steady resolve and practical preparedness—gathering essentials and relocating when necessary—as a dharmic response to danger rather than panic or negligence.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader themes?

Although the text often discusses death, karma, and post-death states, it also teaches practical dharma: safeguarding life and maintaining right conduct during calamities is part of righteous living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep essentials ready, act decisively in emergencies (fire/storm), and prioritize responsible relocation and protection of dependents while staying calm and ethical.