Shloka 1
An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya
इत श्रीगारुडे महापुराणे पूर्वखण्डे प्रथमांशाक्ये आचारकाण्डे याज्ञवल्क्योक्तवर्णधर्मनिरूपणं नाम चतुर्नवतितमो ऽध्यायः याज्ञवल्क्य उवाच / शृण्वन्तु मुनयो धर्मान् गृहस्थस्य यतव्रताः / गुरवे च धनं दत्त्वा स्नात्वा च तदनुज्ञया
ita śrīgāruḍe mahāpurāṇe pūrvakhaṇḍe prathamāṃśākye ācārakāṇḍe yājñavalkyoktavarṇadharmanirūpaṇaṃ nāma caturnavatitamo 'dhyāyaḥ yājñavalkya uvāca / śṛṇvantu munayo dharmān gṛhasthasya yatavratāḥ / gurave ca dhanaṃ dattvā snātvā ca tadanujñayā
Kaya nito, sa Śrī Garuḍa Mahāpurāṇa, sa Pūrvakhaṇḍa (Unang Bahagi), sa loob ng Ācāra-kāṇḍa, nagsisimula ang kabanatang pinamagatang “Paglalahad ng varṇa-dharma ayon sa turo ni Yājñavalkya.” Sinabi ni Yājñavalkya: “Makinig nawa ang mga muni, na pinipigil ng mga panata, sa mga tungkulin ng maybahay—pagkaraang maghandog ng yaman (nararapat na kaloob) sa guro, at maligo nang banal ayon sa kanyang pahintulot.”
Yājñavalkya
Concept: Transition protocol: offer wealth to the guru (guru-dakṣiṇā), obtain permission, perform snāna (samāvartana), then receive gṛhastha duties.
Vedantic Theme: Paramparā (lineage) and śruti-smṛti authority; dharma as lived discipline grounded in humility and gratitude to the teacher.
Application: Honor teachers/mentors with appropriate gratitude; seek proper closure and consent before major life transitions; approach duties through listening and restraint.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: textual/assembly setting (muni-sabhā)
Related Themes: Ācāra-kāṇḍa: samāvartana, guru-dakṣiṇā, gṛhastha duties (general parallel)
FAQs
This verse frames the householder’s dharma as a formal teaching to be heard from sages/teachers, emphasizing disciplined vows and proper ritual-ethical preparation before learning and practicing duties.
No. It belongs to the Ācāra-kāṇḍa (conduct section) and introduces householder duties and the protocol of learning (honoring the guru, purification), rather than afterlife geography or Yama’s realm.
Approach spiritual study with humility: honor your teacher/lineage (service or appropriate offering), seek guidance/permission, and cultivate inner and outer cleanliness before taking up dharma in daily life.