Shloka 42

Prāyaścitta for Food-Contact, Social Contact, Aśauca Periods, and Formal Penance Systems

Devanagari script

द्विरात्रतः क्षत्रिया च शुद्धा वैश्या ह्युपोषिता / शूद्रा स्नानेन शुध्येत्तु द्रोणार्थं न विसर्जयेत्

Transliteration

dvirātrataḥ kṣatriyā ca śuddhā vaiśyā hyupoṣitā / śūdrā snānena śudhyettu droṇārthaṃ na visarjayet

Translation

کشتریا دو راتوں میں شُدھ ہوتی ہے؛ ویشیا روزہ (اپواس) سے شُدھ ہوتی ہے۔ شودرا غسل سے شُدھ ہوتی ہے؛ مگر محض روزی یا مال کے فائدے کے لیے مقررہ ودھی کو ترک نہ کرے۔

Word by Word

• द्वि-रात्रतः: after two nights
• द्वि-रात्रतः: Apadana (Ablative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + रात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (तस्-प्रत्ययान्त): द्विरात्रतः = द्विरात्रात् (from/after two nights); द्विगु-आधार

• क्षत्रिया: the Kshatriya woman
• क्षत्रिया: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• शुद्धा: purified
• शुद्धा: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (to क्षत्रिया)

• वैश्या: the Vaishya woman
• वैश्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/अवधारणार्थक-निपात (indeed/for)

• उपोषिता: having fasted
• उपोषिता: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपोषित (कृदन्त; √उपवस्/वस् (धातु) + उप उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषण (to वैश्या)

• शूद्रा: the Shudra woman
• शूद्रा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• स्नानेन: by bathing
• स्नानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• शुध्येत्: should become purified
• शुध्येत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √शुध्/शुच् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेष/विरोधार्थक-निपात (but/indeed)

• द्रोण-अर्थम्: for (the sake of) a droṇa-measure (of grain etc.)
• द्रोण-अर्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रोण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (द्रोणस्य अर्थम् = for the sake of a droṇa-measure)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• विसर्जयेत्: should give up/abandon
• विसर्जयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √सृज् (धातु) + वि (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Graded śuddhi: kṣatriya—two nights; vaiśya—fasting; śūdra—bathing; and do not abandon prescribed observance for the sake of livelihood/material gain (dronārtha).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma-artha balance: artha is subordinate to dharma; self-restraint (tapas) preserves inner integrity and social trust.

Application: Follow one’s prescribed purification discipline; when economic pressure tempts shortcuts, choose minimally compliant, ethically sound observance (and seek community support) rather than abandoning dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/ritual hygiene setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.222 (graded śuddhi and dharma-over-artha admonition)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

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

This verse emphasizes that ritual purity is restored through specific, dharma-based means (time, fasting, bathing), enabling a person to resume sacred duties and related rites without violating śāstric discipline.

Does this verse describe the soul’s journey after death?

Indirectly: it addresses the living person’s purification rules (śauca/aśauca) that support correct performance of post-death obligations and rites, which the Garuda Purana links to orderly dharmic conduct around death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a clear, consistent purification discipline (such as fasting or bathing as appropriate) and avoid skipping essential observances merely for convenience or financial pressure; prioritize integrity in religious and ethical duties.