Shloka 36

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

श्लेष्माश्रदूषिका स्वेदो द्वादशैते नृणां मलाः / मन्येत यावता शुद्धिं तावच्छौचं समाचरेत्

Transliteration

śleṣmāśradūṣikā svedo dvādaśaite nṛṇāṃ malāḥ / manyeta yāvatā śuddhiṃ tāvacchaucaṃ samācaret

Translation

بلغم، آنسو، ناک کی رطوبت/میل اور پسینہ—یہ انسانوں کی بارہ جسمانی ناپاکیوں میں شمار ہوتے ہیں۔ لہٰذا جتنی دیر تک آدمی اپنے آپ کو پاک سمجھے، اتنی دیر تک شَौچ کے قواعد پر عمل کرے۔

Word by Word

• श्लेष्मा: phlegm
• श्लेष्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्लेष्मन्/श्लेष्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अश्र: tear
• अश्र: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्रु/अश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'tear'

• दूषिका: impure discharge
• दूषिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दूषिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; दूषण-जन्य-रोग/स्रावविशेषः (impurity/discharge)

• स्वेदः: sweat
• स्वेदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• द्वादश: twelve
• द्वादश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सङ्ख्यावाचक-विशेषणम्; अव्ययवत् (indeclinable numeral), (एते) इति पदस्य विशेषणम्

• एते: these
• एते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• नृणाम्: of men/people
• नृणाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• मलाः: impurities
• मलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• मन्येत: should consider
• मन्येत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); आत्मनेपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यावता: as much as
• यावता: Kriya-Visheshana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यावत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; परिमाण/अवधिवाचकः—'by as much as/so far as'

• शुद्धिम्: purity
• शुद्धिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तावता: by that much
• तावता: Kriya-Visheshana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तावत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया, एकवचन; तदनुरूप-परिमाणवाचकः—'by that much'

• शौचम्: purification
• शौचम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया, एकवचन

• समाचरेत्: should perform/practice
• समाचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Kapha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Twelve human impurities are enumerated; śauca is to be observed until purity is reasonably ascertained.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka in practice: rules culminate in informed self-judgment; supports sattva through cleanliness.

Application: Treat phlegm, tears, nasal discharge, sweat (along with prior listed substances) as impurities; continue cleansing practices until one is satisfied of purity (within śāstric bounds and common sense).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: household/āśrama cleansing context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.35 (first eight impurities); Garuda Purana 1.213.32-34 (mṛttikā measures and śauca timing)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of śauca (cleanliness) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames śauca as a practical dharmic discipline: since the body produces recognized impurities, one should maintain cleanliness until a sense of purity is restored.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals?

Garuda Purana frequently links purity to eligibility for rites; this verse provides the underlying principle—purification should be observed whenever bodily impurities arise, supporting the broader ritual framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat cleanliness as a mindful practice: after contact with bodily secretions (sweat, mucus, tears, etc.), wash and restore hygienic/ritual cleanliness before prayer, worship, or sacred duties.