Shloka 34

Devotpatti-nirūpaṇa — Hari’s Pūrṇatva

Completeness) and the Ritual Doctrine of Sāra (Essence

Devanagari script

निः सारं मनुजेन्द्राणामिति वेदविदां मतम् / आषाढमासे गरुड शाको निः सार उच्यते

Transliteration

niḥ sāraṃ manujendrāṇāmiti vedavidāṃ matam / āṣāḍhamāse garuḍa śāko niḥ sāra ucyate

Translation

Đó là quan điểm của các bậc thông hiểu Veda: đối với bậc thượng nhân, có những thứ được xem là ‘không có tinh túy’. Hỡi Garuḍa, trong tháng Āṣāḍha, các loại rau lá được nói là ‘không có tinh túy’ (nên kiêng tránh).

Word by Word

• niḥsāram: Essence-less / Worthless
• niḥsāram: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥsāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• manujendrāṇām: Of the kings of men
• manujendrāṇām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manujendra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• iti: Thus
• iti: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle indicating end of quote or thought

• vedavidām: Of the knowers of Vedas
• vedavidām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vedavid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• matam: Opinion / View
• matam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• āṣāḍhamāse: In the month of Ashadha
• āṣāḍhamāse: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āṣāḍhamāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• garuḍa: O Garuda
• garuḍa: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: garuḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana/सम्बोधन), Singular

• śākaḥ: Leafy vegetable
• śākaḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म) in Passive construction acting as Subject
• Type: Noun
• Root: śāka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• niḥsāraḥ: Essence-less
• niḥsāraḥ: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niḥsāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ucyate: Is said / Is called
• ucyate: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Passive (Karmani), Present Tense (Lat/लट्), 3rd Person (Prathama), Singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Veda-knowers deem certain items ‘asara’ for humans; specifically, in Āṣāḍha, leafy vegetables are to be avoided as lacking spiritual ‘essence’.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as harmonizing life with cosmic order (kala/ritu); restraint supports sattva and steadiness of mind.

Application: Observe seasonal dietary rules in one’s tradition: in Āṣāḍha, avoid leafy greens if following this vrata; substitute with permitted foods while maintaining devotion and health.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: temporal/seasonal marker

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: month-wise vrata/dietary restrictions and ‘asara’ lists; Garuda Purana: authority appeal to ‘veda-vid’ (knowers of Veda) in acara sections

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Veda-vids (knowers of the Vedas)

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding certain foods in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames food-discipline as a Veda-aligned dharmic practice, teaching that some items are considered ‘niḥ-sāra’ (lacking beneficial essence) in specific times such as Āṣāḍha.

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

Though not describing Yama’s realm directly, it supports the broader Preta Kanda theme that disciplined living—including time-based observances—strengthens dharma and supports auspicious outcomes connected with rites and purity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If you follow traditional vrata rules, treat Āṣāḍha as a month for simpler, sattvic choices and consult your family tradition/acharya; otherwise, apply the principle by aligning diet with seasonal health and mindful restraint.