Shloka 11

Devanagari script

भूमौ मूलफलाशित्वं स्वाध्यायस्तप एव च / संविभागो यथान्यायं धर्मो ऽयं वनवासिनः

Transliteration

bhūmau mūlaphalāśitvaṃ svādhyāyastapa eva ca / saṃvibhāgo yathānyāyaṃ dharmo 'yaṃ vanavāsinaḥ

Translation

นอนบนพื้นดิน ดำรงชีพด้วยรากไม้และผลไม้ ประกอบสวาธยายะและตบะ และแบ่งปันเสบียงโดยชอบธรรม—นี่คือธรรมของผู้พำนักในป่า.

Word by Word

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• मूलफलाशित्वम्: subsisting on roots and fruits
• मूलफलाशित्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल + फल + आशित्व (प्रातिपदिक; √अश् (धातु) + क्तिन्/भावप्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; भाववाचक-संज्ञा

• स्वाध्यायः: self-study (Vedic recitation)
• स्वाध्यायः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाध्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधारणार्थक

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• संविभागः: proper distribution/sharing
• संविभागः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संविभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यथा: as/according to
• यथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), प्रकार/अनुरूपार्थक

• अन्यायम्: in a just manner
• अन्यायम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial accusative/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः (यथान्यायम् = यथान्यायेन)

• धर्मः: duty/law
• धर्मः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Visheshana (Demonstrative/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वनवासिनः: of the forest-dweller
• वनवासिनः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वनवासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vānaprastha-dharma: minimal living, tapas and svādhyāya, and equitable sharing (saṃvibhāga) as righteous conduct.

Vedantic Theme: Chitta-śuddhi through niyama, aparigraha, and sattvic livelihood as preparation for higher knowledge.

Application: Adopt voluntary simplicity, study a sacred text daily, practice periodic austerity (fasting/limited diet), and share resources fairly within family/community.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: forest/āśrama

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49 (āśrama-dharma sequence: brahmacarya–gṛhastha–vānaprastha–saṃnyāsa themes)

FAQs

What is the importance of forest-dweller (vanavāsin) dharma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines vanavāsin dharma as simplicity (living on the ground and eating roots/fruits), inner cultivation (svādhyāya and tapas), and social righteousness (sharing justly), presenting renunciation as disciplined ethical living.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing tapas, svādhyāya, and fairness, the verse points to purification of conduct and mind—core supports for good karma and spiritual progress, which the Garuda Purana connects to favorable post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt voluntary simplicity, maintain a daily study/recitation practice, cultivate self-discipline, and share resources fairly—making dharma a lived habit rather than a mere belief.