Shloka 6

Yoga’s Limbs and Dharma as the Ground of Liberation

Devanagari script

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सर्वावस्थासु सर्वदा / सर्वत्र मैथुनत्यागं ब्रह्मचर्यं प्रचक्षते

Transliteration

karmaṇā manasā vācā sarvāvasthāsu sarvadā / sarvatra maithunatyāgaṃ brahmacaryaṃ pracakṣate

Translation

ด้วยกาย ด้วยใจ และด้วยวาจา—ในทุกสภาวะ ทุกกาล และทุกสถานที่—การละเว้นเมถุนโดยสิ้นเชิงนั้น เรียกว่า พรหมจรรย์ (brahmacarya)

Word by Word

• कर्मणा: by action/deed
• कर्मणा: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• मनसा: by mind
• मनसा: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• वाचा: by speech
• वाचा: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/3rd case), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• सर्वावस्थासु: in all conditions/states
• सर्वावस्थासु: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + अवस्था (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (अधिकरण/7th case), बहुवचन; Locative plural; समासः—षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः (सर्वाः अवस्थाः)

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kāla (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Deśa/Adhikaraṇa (Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• मैथुनत्यागम्: abandonment of sexual intercourse
• मैथुनत्यागम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैथुन + त्याग (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), एकवचन; Accusative singular; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मैथुनस्य त्यागः)

• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/2nd case), एकवचन; Accusative singular

• प्रचक्षते: they declare/call
• प्रचक्षते: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + चक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; Present indicative, 3rd person plural; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahmacarya as total renunciation of maithuna in action, thought, and speech, at all times.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as prerequisites for higher knowledge and devotion.

Application: Guard conduct, imagination, and speech; adopt vows/boundaries; avoid triggers; cultivate sattvic routines and accountability.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Ācāra sections): yama-niyama style lists; brahmacarya as a niyama; Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa): moral causality where sense-restraint supports auspicious post-mortem outcomes (general theme)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmacarya

FAQs

What is the importance of brahmacarya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines brahmacarya as total restraint—physical, mental, and verbal—showing it as a core dharmic discipline that preserves purity and strengthens spiritual merit.

Does the Garuda Purana define brahmacarya only as physical celibacy?

No. The verse explicitly includes mind and speech along with action, indicating that chastity is complete only when desire is restrained internally and externally.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice ethical restraint: avoid harmful sexual behavior, reduce lustful thoughts through discipline, and keep speech respectful—treating self-control as a daily vow in all situations.