Shloka 33

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

आहरेद्विधिवद्दारानग्निं चैवाविलम्बितः / हिता भर्तुर्दिवं गच्छेदिह कीर्तीरवाप्य च

Transliteration

āharedvidhivaddārānagniṃ caivāvilambitaḥ / hitā bharturdivaṃ gacchediha kīrtīravāpya ca

Translation

นางพึงจัดเตรียมภรรยาและไฟศักดิ์สิทธิ์ตามพระบัญญัติโดยไม่ชักช้า; เมื่อมุ่งมั่นในประโยชน์แห่งสามี ย่อมถึงสวรรค์ และในโลกนี้ก็ได้เกียรติยศอันยั่งยืนด้วย

Word by Word

• आहरेत्: should bring
• आहरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद; विधिलिङर्थे आज्ञा—“should bring”

• विधिवत्: according to rule
• विधिवत्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विधि + वत् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• दारान्: wife (as ‘wives/consort’, accusative plural form)
• दारान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन

• अग्निम्: fire
• अग्निम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Nipata (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—निश्चय/अवधारण (emphatic particle)

• अविलम्बितः: without delay
• अविलम्बितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अविलम्बित (कृदन्त; वि-लम्ब् धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण—“not delayed/without delay”

• हिता: a devoted (wife)
• हिता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हित (कृदन्त; धा धातोः क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त—“beneficial/devoted” (स्त्रीवाचक)

• भर्तुः: of (her) husband
• भर्तुः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• दिवम्: to heaven
• दिवम्: Gati-Karma (Goal/गत्यर्थकर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्/द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/गति-कर्म), एकवचन; गत्यर्थे कर्म

• गच्छेत्: would go / should go
• गच्छेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• इह: here (in this world)
• इह: Desha-adhikarana (Locative sense/देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—देशवाचक (adverb of place)

• कीर्तिम्: fame
• कीर्तिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• अवाप्य: having obtained
• अवाप्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अव-आप् (धातु) + ल्यप् (क्त्वान्त/अव्ययीभाव)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/त्वान्त) अव्यय—पूर्वकालक्रिया (having obtained)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa, Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Strī-dharma and pativratā-bhāva: timely performance of prescribed rites (with agni) and husband-oriented welfare yields svarga and kīrti.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala within dharma; sattvic duty as purifier leading toward higher gati (though not explicit mokṣa).

Application: Maintain household rites with care (especially agni-related duties), act without procrastination in prescribed obligations, cultivate fidelity and welfare-intent toward spouse/family.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Ācāra sections): discussions of gṛhastha-dharma, strī-dharma, and agni/saṃskāra duties (chapter vicinity 1.95–1.96 context).

FAQs

What is the importance of sacred fire (Agni) in Garuda Purana teachings?

This verse highlights Agni as a required component of prescribed rites; performing duties with Agni “according to rule” is presented as a direct cause of worldly good repute and heavenly merit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It links dharmic, timely observance of prescribed rites and devoted intention (hita) with attaining divam (heaven), implying that ethical-ritual discipline supports a favorable post-death destination.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow essential rites and responsibilities without procrastination, and align actions with the welfare of one’s family and dharma—building both social integrity (kīrti) and spiritual merit.