Shloka 32

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

ज्येष्ठां धर्मविधौ कुर्यान्न कनिष्ठां कदाचन / दाहयेदग्निहोत्रेण स्त्रियं वृत्तवतीं पतिः

Transliteration

jyeṣṭhāṃ dharmavidhau kuryānna kaniṣṭhāṃ kadācana / dāhayedagnihotreṇa striyaṃ vṛttavatīṃ patiḥ

Translation

行持法所规定之仪轨时，当以长妻为主，切莫以幼妻为主。夫应以家中圣火——阿耆尼火供（agnihotra）之火——火化那位守德而行的妻子。

Word by Word

• ज्येष्ठाम्: the elder (wife)
• ज्येष्ठाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्येष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; here ‘elder (wife)’ as object

• धर्मविधौ: in religious rites/ordinances
• धर्मविधौ: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्मविधि (प्रातिपदिक; धर्म + विधि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य विधौ)

• कुर्यात्: should make/do (appoint)
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक निपात; negation

• कनिष्ठाम्: the younger (wife)
• कनिष्ठाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कदाचन: ever/at any time
• कदाचन: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कदाचन (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय; ‘ever/at any time’ (with negation = never)

• दाहयेत्: should cremate/burn
• दाहयेत्: Kriyā (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दह् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense in usage ‘cause to burn/cremate’

• अग्निहोत्रेण: with the agnihotra fire/rite
• अग्निहोत्रेण: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्निहोत्र (प्रातिपदिक; अग्नि + होत्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अग्नेः होत्रम्)

• स्त्रियम्: a woman/wife
• स्त्रियम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वृत्तवतीम्: virtuous/of good conduct
• वृत्तवतीम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वृत्तवत् (प्रातिपदिक; वृत्त + वत्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• पतिः: the husband
• पतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual propriety in dharma-kārya (elder wife as principal) and the husband’s duty to perform cremation using the consecrated household fire for a virtuous wife.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as a sanctifying order; saṃskāra as transition that supports dharmic continuity and mental purification for survivors.

Application: Maintain clarity in ritual roles per one’s tradition; perform last rites with reverence and proper rites, honoring the deceased’s virtuous life.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (gṛhya-agni/cremation ground)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.95 (gṛhya rites; antyeṣṭi linkage)

Characters & Entities

• Agnihotra

FAQs

What is the importance of agnihotra in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse highlights agnihotra—the sanctified household fire—as the proper sacred medium for cremation, framing antyeṣṭi as a dharma-ordered rite rather than a merely social custom.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing correct dharma-vidhi in last rites (cremation with sacred fire), it underlines the Garuda Purana theme that proper ritual order supports the post-death transition and the deceased’s onward journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow established dharmic procedure in family rites—especially funerary rites—with clarity, respect, and ritual correctness, and treat responsibilities toward a virtuous spouse as a solemn duty.