Shloka 3

Ruci and the Pitṛs: On Marriage, Debts (Ṛṇa), and Desireless Karma

Devanagari script

अनग्निमनिकेतं तमेकाहारमनाश्रमम् / निमुक्तसंगं तं दृष्ट्वा प्रोचुः स्वपितरो मुनिम्

Transliteration

anagnimaniketaṃ tamekāhāramanāśramam / nimuktasaṃgaṃ taṃ dṛṣṭvā procuḥ svapitaro munim

Translation

เมื่อเห็นฤๅษีนั้น—ไร้ไฟบูชา ไร้เรือน อยู่ด้วยอาหารวันละครั้ง ไม่สังกัดอาศรมใด และหลุดพ้นจากความยึดติดทั้งปวง—บรรพชนปิตฤของท่านจึงกล่าวกับท่าน।

Word by Word

• अनग्निम्: without fire (no sacred fire)
• अनग्निम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-समासान्त/नकारार्थक विशेषण (अग्निरहितः)

• अनिकेतम्: homeless, without a dwelling
• अनिकेतम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनिकेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-विशेषण (निकेतरहितः)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एकाहारम्: eating once (a day)
• एकाहारम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक + आहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (एकः आहारः यस्य/एकवारभोजनः)

• अनाश्रमम्: without an āśrama (unaffiliated)
• अनाश्रमम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनाश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-विशेषण (आश्रमरहितः/आश्रमं न आश्रितः)

• निमुक्तसङ्गम्: free from attachment
• निमुक्तसङ्गम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निमुक्त + सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—तत्पुरुष (निमुक्तः सङ्गः यस्य/सङ्गात् विमुक्तः)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (पुनरुक्ति—तमेव)

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• दृष्ट्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव-क्रियाविशेषण (Gerund/Absolutive); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• प्रोचुः: said, addressed
• प्रोचुः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः—प्र

• स्वपितरः: their own fathers (Pitṛs)
• स्वपितरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (स्वस्य पितरः)

• मुनिम्: the sage
• मुनिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator (within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue framework)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tension between renunciation markers (aniketatva, anagni, ekāhāra, asaṅga) and the Pitṛs’ expectation of sustaining dharma through prescribed life-stages.

Vedantic Theme: Balancing nivṛtti (withdrawal) with pravṛtti (duty) until eligibility for full renunciation; the subtle claim that detachment alone is not the complete social-ritual dharma.

Application: If choosing an unconventional life, examine neglected obligations (family, ancestors, social dependents) and address them consciously rather than by default.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: forest/roadside wandering setting (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha and pitṛ-tarpaṇa sections emphasizing ancestral satisfaction through rites and progeny (contextual linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Pitris
• Muni

FAQs

What is the importance of the Pitris (ancestors) in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that Pitṛs are active participants in the moral-spiritual narrative: they observe a descendant’s conduct (such as renunciation) and can directly address or instruct, underscoring the continuing ancestral connection emphasized in Garuda Purana.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

By depicting a sage who is detached, homeless, and disciplined, the verse points to a purification-oriented life that supports favorable post-death outcomes—an inner preparation theme that complements Garuda Purana’s broader after-death journey descriptions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate restraint and reduce attachment (saṅga), while also honoring ancestral duties appropriately—balancing inner detachment with ethical living and respect for lineage traditions.