Shloka 5

Vrata-Niyama: Fasting Purity, Brahmakūrcha, Naktāhāra, and Kāla-Nirṇaya

Ritual Timing

Devanagari script

कांस्यं माषं मसूरं चचणकं कोरदूषकम् / शाकं मधु परान्नं च वर्जयेदुपवासवान्

Transliteration

kāṃsyaṃ māṣaṃ masūraṃ cacaṇakaṃ koradūṣakam / śākaṃ madhu parānnaṃ ca varjayedupavāsavān

Translation

Người đang giữ upavāsa (ăn chay/nhịn ăn) nên tránh: ăn dùng đồ đựng bằng đồng, đậu đen (māṣa), đậu lăng (masūra), đậu gà (caṇaka), hạt kodrava, rau lá, mật ong, và các món đã nấu nướng, chế biến sẵn có gia vị.

Word by Word

• कांस्यम्: bronze (vessel/metal)
• कांस्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• माषम्: black gram
• माषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मसूरम्: lentil
• मसूरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मसूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• चणकम्: chickpea
• चणकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चणक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• कोरदूषकम्: koradūṣaka (a grain/food item)
• कोरदूषकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोरदूषक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• शाकम्: vegetables/greens
• शाकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• मधु: honey
• मधु: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• परान्नम्: food cooked by others
• परान्नम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• वर्जयेत्: should avoid
• वर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृज्/वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• उपवासवान्: one who is fasting
• उपवासवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, instructive dharma context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Āhāra-niyama during upavāsa: avoidance of certain grains/pulses, prepared foods, and bronze vessels to preserve vrata purity and austerity.

Vedantic Theme: Āhāra-śuddhi supporting sattva and steadiness of mind; restraint as a limb of self-mastery.

Application: During a fast/vrata, follow the specified avoid-list; keep diet simple, non-indulgent, and aligned with the vow’s intent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: household dining/vrata setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata-bhojana rules and prohibited items during specific fasts; Garuda Purana: śauca and vessel-material considerations in ritual contexts

FAQs

What is the importance of dietary restraint (upavāsa-niyama) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames fasting as disciplined observance: merit comes not only from skipping meals but from avoiding specific foods and indulgent preparations that are considered unsuitable for vrata-purity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the purāṇic theme that conduct (ācāra)—including purity in vrata and food—builds punya (merit), which influences post-death outcomes described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If you keep a fast or vrata, simplify the diet: avoid rich prepared foods and follow a consistent rule-set, treating fasting as ethical and sensory discipline rather than a mere dietary trend.