Shloka 29

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोः कुर्यात्पादयोर्वन्दनं सदा / क्रीडाशरीरसंस्कारसमाजोत्सवदशनम्

Transliteration

śvaśrūśvaśurayoḥ kuryātpādayorvandanaṃ sadā / krīḍāśarīrasaṃskārasamājotsavadaśanam

Translation

Luôn nên cúi lạy dưới chân mẹ chồng và cha chồng. Đồng thời cũng nên tham dự các cuộc vui, các nghi lễ liên quan đến thân thể và các mốc đời người, những buổi hội họp xã hội và các lễ hội mừng vui.

Word by Word

• श्वश्रू: of the mother-in-law
• श्वश्रू: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वश्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, द्विवचन (समास/द्वन्द्वपूर्वपद); in dual genitive context

• श्वशुरयोः: of (one’s) mother-in-law and father-in-law
• श्वशुरयोः: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वशुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (श्वश्रू+श्वशुर) इतरेतरद्वन्द्व, षष्ठी-द्विवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष? (न), मध्यमपुरुष? (न) → तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; should do

• पादयोः: of the feet
• पादयोः: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी, द्विवचन; here षष्ठी (of the feet)

• वन्दनम्: salutation/bowing
• वन्दनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन्दन (प्रातिपदिक; वन्द् धातु (धातु) + ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मपद (object)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय; adverb of time

• क्रीडा: play/sport
• क्रीडा: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रीडा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• शरीर: body
• शरीर: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• संस्कार: adornment/rite/refinement
• संस्कार: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• समाज: assembly/society
• समाज: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समाज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• उत्सव: festival
• उत्सव: Upapada (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्सव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद); in compound

• दशनम्: seeing/attending (play, bodily adornment, gatherings, festivals)
• दशनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक; दृश् धातु (धातु) + ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहारद्वन्द्व/समुच्चयार्थ-समासः (क्रीडा+शरीरसंस्कार+समाज+उत्सव+दर्शन)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, within the dharma-teachings section)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gurujana-sevā (service to elders) and saṃskāra/utsava participation as stabilizers of family and society.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as relational duty (ṛṇa) that refines ego and fosters sattvic conduct.

Application: Maintain daily respect toward in-laws/elders; attend and support family rites (saṃskāras), community gatherings, and festivals with decorum and helpfulness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household/community space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (conduct toward elders; household observances)

FAQs

What is the importance of honoring in-laws in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats respectful salutation to one’s mother-in-law and father-in-law as a steady duty (sadā), reinforcing humility, family harmony, and dharmic household order.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes dharmic conduct in daily life—right relationships and right behavior—which the Garuda Purana consistently links to auspicious karmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain consistent respect for elders/in-laws and participate appropriately in family/community rites and celebrations, strengthening social responsibility and ethical living.