Shloka 25
An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya
ब्रह्मचारी च पर्वाण्याद्याश्ततस्त्रस्तु वर्जयेत् / एवं गच्छं स्त्रियं क्षामां मघां मूलां च वर्जयेत्
brahmacārī ca parvāṇyādyāśtatastrastu varjayet / evaṃ gacchaṃ striyaṃ kṣāmāṃ maghāṃ mūlāṃ ca varjayet
Người học trò giữ phạm hạnh nên tránh các ngày giao thời linh thiêng và những lúc khởi đầu (của một số kỳ). Cũng vậy, nên tránh đến với người nữ gầy mòn, và nên tránh các sao tú (nakṣatra) bị coi là bất tường như Maghā và Mūlā.
Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda / Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Brahmacārin avoids certain parvan/junction times; avoid intercourse with an emaciated woman and avoid inauspicious nakṣatras (e.g., Maghā, Mūlā) for union.
Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha (sense restraint) and alignment with cosmic order (kāla/ṛtu) as supports for purity of mind.
Application: Practice disciplined boundaries; consider health and wellbeing of partners; if following traditional calendars, choose auspicious times and avoid harmful conditions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (rtu, nakṣatra, and conduct regulations)
FAQs
This verse frames timing as part of dharmic discipline: a brahmacārī is advised to avoid certain junction-days and specific nakṣatras, emphasizing restraint and ritual propriety.
Rather than describing afterlife geography, it teaches preparatory dharma—brahmacharya supported by careful avoidance of situations and times considered spiritually destabilizing or ritually unsuitable.
Maintain self-restraint and choose supportive conditions for study and sādhana—avoid circumstances (including timing and associations) that weaken discipline, focus, and purity of conduct.