Karma-Yoga: The Rules of Achamana and Bodily Purity

Verse 1 (padma.3.52.1)

व्यास उवाच । भुक्त्वा पीत्वा च सुप्त्वा च स्नात्वा रथ्योपसर्पणे । ओष्ठावलोमकौ स्पृष्ट्वा वासो विपरिधाय च ।

vyāsa uvāca bhuktvā pītvā ca suptvā ca snātvā rathyopasarpaṇe oṣṭhāvalomakau spṛṣṭvā vāso viparidhāya ca

Vyasa said: After eating, after drinking, after sleeping, after bathing, when approaching a public road, after touching the lips or body-hair, after changing garments,

Verse 2 (padma.3.52.2)

रेतोमूत्रपुरीषाणामुत्सर्गेऽनृतभाषणे । ष्ठीवित्वाऽध्ययनारंभे कासश्वासागमे तथा ।

retomūtrapurīṣāṇāmutsarge'nṛtabhāṣaṇe ṣṭhīvitvā'dhyayanāraṁbhe kāsaśvāsāgame tathā

after the discharge of semen, urine, or feces, after speaking falsely, after spitting, at the beginning of study, and likewise after a fit of coughing or heavy breathing,

Verse 3 (padma.3.52.3)

चत्वरं वा श्मशानं वा समाक्रम्य द्विजोत्तमः । संध्ययोरुभयोस्तद्वदाचांतोऽप्याचमेत्पुनः ।

catvaraṁ vā śmaśānaṁ vā samākramya dvijottamaḥ saṁdhyayorubhayostadvadācāṁto'pyācametpunaḥ

after crossing a crossroads or a cremation ground — the best of the twice-born, even having already sipped water at both twilights, should sip water again.

Verse 4 (padma.3.52.4)

चंडालम्लेच्छसंभाषे स्त्रीशूद्रोच्छिष्टभाषणे । उच्छिष्टं पुरुषं दृष्ट्वा भोज्यं चापि तथाविधम् ।

caṁḍālamlecchasaṁbhāṣe strīśūdrocchiṣṭabhāṣaṇe ucchiṣṭaṁ puruṣaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhojyaṁ cāpi tathāvidham

After conversing with a Chandala or a mleccha, after speaking with a woman or Shudra who has just eaten leftover food, upon seeing a man who has eaten leftover food, or similarly unclean food,

Verse 5 (padma.3.52.5)

आचामेदश्रुपाते वा लोहितस्य तथैव च । भोजने संध्ययोः स्नात्वा पीत्वा मूत्रपुरीषयोः ।

ācāmedaśrupāte vā lohitasya tathaiva ca bhojane saṁdhyayoḥ snātvā pītvā mūtrapurīṣayoḥ

one should sip water; likewise after the shedding of tears, or of blood. Before eating, at both twilights, after bathing, after drinking, after urination or defecation,

Verse 6 (padma.3.52.6)

आगतो वाचमेत्सुप्त्वा सकृत्सकृदथान्यतः । अग्नेर्गवामथालंभे स्पृष्ट्वा प्रयतमेव वा ।

āgato vācametsuptvā sakṛtsakṛdathānyataḥ agnergavāmathālaṁbhe spṛṣṭvā prayatameva vā

having returned from a journey, one should sip water; after sleeping, on each occasion, and on other such occasions; after touching fire or cattle, whether with pure intent or not,

Verse 7 (padma.3.52.7)

स्त्रीणामथात्मनः स्पर्शे नीलद्यं वा परिधाय च । उपस्पर्शेज्जलं वार्तं तृणं वा भूमिमेव च ।

strīṇāmathātmanaḥ sparśe nīladyaṁ vā paridhāya ca upasparśejjalaṁ vārtaṁ tṛṇaṁ vā bhūmimeva ca

after touching women or one's own impure parts, or after putting on a blue-dyed garment — one should touch water, or, if unavailable, grass, or the very earth.

Verse 8 (padma.3.52.8)

केशानां चात्मनः स्पर्शे वाससः स्खलितस्य च । अनुष्णाभिरकेशाभिरदुष्टाभिश्च धर्मतः ।

keśānāṁ cātmanaḥ sparśe vāsasaḥ skhalitasya ca anuṣṇābhirakeśābhiraduṣṭābhiśca dharmataḥ

After touching one's own hair, or a fallen garment — with waters that are not hot, free of hairs, and undefiled, according to dharma —

Verse 9 (padma.3.52.9)

शौचेऽप्सु सर्वदा चामेदासीनः प्रागुदङ्मुखः । शिरः प्रावृत्य कंठं वा मुक्तकेशशिखोऽपि वा ।

śauce'psu sarvadā cāmedāsīnaḥ prāgudaṅmukhaḥ śiraḥ prāvṛtya kaṁṭhaṁ vā muktakeśaśikho'pi vā

one should always sip water for purification, seated, facing east or north. One should not sip water with head or throat covered, or with hair or top-knot let loose,

Verse 10 (padma.3.52.10)

अकृत्वा पादयोः शौचं मार्गतो न शुचिर्भवेत् । सोपानत्कोपानस्थो वा नोष्णीषी चाचमेद्बुधः ।

akṛtvā pādayoḥ śaucaṁ mārgato na śucirbhavet sopānatkopānastho vā noṣṇīṣī cācamedbudhaḥ

nor without having washed the feet after travel — one does not become pure this way. A wise man should not sip water while wearing sandals, or while seated improperly, nor while wearing a turban.

Verse 11 (padma.3.52.11)

न चैव वर्षधाराभिर्न तिष्ठन्नुद्धृतोदकैः । नैकहस्तार्पितजलैर्विना सूत्रेण वा पुनः ।

na caiva varṣadhārābhirna tiṣṭhannuddhṛtodakaiḥ naikahastārpitajalairvinā sūtreṇa vā punaḥ

Nor with rainwater streams, nor while standing, with water merely drawn up, nor with water offered in one hand only, nor again without the sacred thread.

Verse 12 (padma.3.52.12)

न पादुकासनस्थो वा बहिर्जानुरथापि वा । न जल्पन्न हसन्प्रेक्षन्शयानस्तल्प एव च ।

na pādukāsanastho vā bahirjānurathāpi vā na jalpanna hasanprekṣanśayānastalpa eva ca

Nor while seated on sandals, nor with knee protruding outward; nor while chattering, laughing, staring about, or lying on a bed.

Verse 13 (padma.3.52.13)

नाविक्षिताभिः फेनाद्यैरुपेताभिरथापि वा । शूद्राशुचिकरोन्मुक्तैर्नक्षाराभिस्तथैव च ।

nāvikṣitābhiḥ phenādyairupetābhirathāpi vā śūdrāśucikaronmuktairnakṣārābhistathaiva ca

Nor with water not examined for impurities, nor with water containing foam and the like, nor water touched by an impure Shudra's hand, nor water that is saline.

Verse 14 (padma.3.52.14)

न चैवांगुलिभिः शब्दं न कुर्यान्नान्यमानसः । न वर्णरसदुष्टाभिर्न चैव प्रदरोदकैः ।

na caivāṁgulibhiḥ śabdaṁ na kuryānnānyamānasaḥ na varṇarasaduṣṭābhirna caiva pradarodakaiḥ

And one should make no sound with the fingers, and should not do so with a distracted mind; not with waters spoiled in color or taste, nor with waters from a flood.

Verse 15 (padma.3.52.15)

न पाणिक्षुभिताभिर्वा न बहिर्गंध एव वा । हृद्गाभिः पूयते विप्रः कंठ्याभिः क्षत्रियः शुचिः ।

na pāṇikṣubhitābhirvā na bahirgaṁdha eva vā hṛdgābhiḥ pūyate vipraḥ kaṁṭhyābhiḥ kṣatriyaḥ śuciḥ

Nor with water made turbulent in the hand, nor with water whose smell has spread outward. A Brahmin is purified by water reaching to the heart; a Kshatriya becomes pure with water reaching to the throat;

Verse 16 (padma.3.52.16)

प्राशिताभिस्तथा वैश्यः स्त्रीशूद्रौ स्पर्शतोंऽततः । अंगुष्ठमूलांतरतो रेखायां ब्राह्ममुच्यते ।

prāśitābhistathā vaiśyaḥ strīśūdrau sparśatoṁ'tataḥ aṁguṣṭhamūlāṁtarato rekhāyāṁ brāhmamucyate

a Vaishya likewise with water actually swallowed; a woman and a Shudra, merely by touch. Within the line at the base of the thumb is called the 'Brahma-tirtha';

Verse 17 (padma.3.52.17)

अंतरांगुष्ठदेशिन्यैः पितॄणां तीर्थमुच्यते । कनिष्ठामूलतः पश्चात्प्राजापत्यं प्रचक्षते ।

aṁtarāṁguṣṭhadeśinyaiḥ pitṝṇāṁ tīrthamucyate kaniṣṭhāmūlataḥ paścātprājāpatyaṁ pracakṣate

between the thumb and the forefinger is called the 'tirtha of the ancestors'; at the base of the little finger, further back, is declared to be the 'Prajapatya' tirtha;

Verse 18 (padma.3.52.18)

अंगुल्यग्रं स्मृतं दैवं तदेवार्षं प्रकीर्तितम् । मूलेन दैवमार्षं स्यादाग्नेयं मध्यतः स्मृतम् ।

aṁgulyagraṁ smṛtaṁ daivaṁ tadevārṣaṁ prakīrtitam mūlena daivamārṣaṁ syādāgneyaṁ madhyataḥ smṛtam

the tip of the fingers is remembered as the 'divine' tirtha; that same is declared as the 'Arsha' tirtha. At the base is the divine-and-sages' tirtha; at the middle is remembered the 'fire' tirtha;

Verse 19 (padma.3.52.19)

तदेव सौमिकं तीर्थमेतज्ज्ञात्वा न मुह्यति । ब्राह्मेणैव तु तीर्थेन द्विजो नित्यमुपस्पृशेत् ।

tadeva saumikaṁ tīrthametajjñātvā na muhyati brāhmeṇaiva tu tīrthena dvijo nityamupaspṛśet

that same is the 'Soma' tirtha. Knowing this, one is not confused. A twice-born should always sip water for purification using only the Brahma-tirtha.

Verse 20 (padma.3.52.20)

होमयेद्वाथ दैवेन न तु पित्र्येण वै द्विजाः । त्रिःप्राश्नीयादपः पूर्वं ब्राह्मेण प्रयतस्ततः ।

homayedvātha daivena na tu pitryeṇa vai dvijāḥ triḥprāśnīyādapaḥ pūrvaṁ brāhmeṇa prayatastataḥ

He should offer oblation using the divine tirtha; but never with the ancestral tirtha, O twice-born ones. He should first sip water three times using the Brahma-tirtha, with due care;

Verse 21 (padma.3.52.21)

संमृज्यांगुष्ठमूलेन मुखं वै समुपस्पृशेत् । अंगुष्ठानामिकाभ्यां तु स्पृशेन्नेत्रद्वयं ततः ।

saṁmṛjyāṁguṣṭhamūlena mukhaṁ vai samupaspṛśet aṁguṣṭhānāmikābhyāṁ tu spṛśennetradvayaṁ tataḥ

then he should wipe his mouth with the base of the thumb, and touch it. Then, with the thumb and ring finger, he should touch both eyes;

Verse 22 (padma.3.52.22)

तर्जन्यंगुष्ठयोगेन स्पृशेन्नासापुटद्वयम् । कनिष्ठांगुष्ठयोगेन श्रवणे समुस्पृशेत् ।

tarjanyaṁguṣṭhayogena spṛśennāsāpuṭadvayam kaniṣṭhāṁguṣṭhayogena śravaṇe samuspṛśet

with the union of the forefinger and the thumb, he should touch both nostrils; with the union of the little finger and thumb, he should touch both ears;

Verse 23 (padma.3.52.23)

सर्वासामथयोगेन हृदयं तु तनवा । स्पृशेद्वै शिरसस्तद्वदंगुष्ठेनांसकद्वयम् ।

sarvāsāmathayogena hṛdayaṁ tu tanavā spṛśedvai śirasastadvadaṁguṣṭhenāṁsakadvayam

with the union of all the fingers, with the flat of the hand, he should touch the heart; likewise, with the thumb, he should touch both shoulders, and the head.

Verse 24 (padma.3.52.24)

त्रिःप्राश्नीयाद्यदंभस्तु प्रीतास्तेनास्य देवताः । ब्रह्माविष्णुर्महेशश्च भवंतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ।

triḥprāśnīyādyadaṁbhastu prītāstenāsya devatāḥ brahmāviṣṇurmaheśaśca bhavaṁtītyanuśuśruma

By the water he sips three times, the deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha become pleased with him — thus we have heard.

Verse 25 (padma.3.52.25)

गंगा च यमुना चैव प्रीयेते परिमार्जनात् । संस्पृष्टयोर्लोचनयोः प्रीयेते शशिभास्करौ ।

gaṁgā ca yamunā caiva prīyete parimārjanāt saṁspṛṣṭayorlocanayoḥ prīyete śaśibhāskarau

The Ganga and the Yamuna become pleased by the wiping of the mouth. Upon the touching of both eyes, the moon and the sun become pleased.

Verse 26 (padma.3.52.26)

नासत्यदस्रौ प्रीयेते स्पृशेन्नासापुटद्वयम् । कर्णयोः स्पृष्टयोस्तद्वत्प्रीयेते चानिलानलौ ।

nāsatyadasrau prīyete spṛśennāsāpuṭadvayam karṇayoḥ spṛṣṭayostadvatprīyete cānilānalau

The Nasatyas become pleased by the touching of both nostrils. Likewise, upon the touching of both ears, Vayu and Agni become pleased.

Verse 27 (padma.3.52.27)

संस्पृष्टे हृदये चास्य प्रीयंते सर्वदेवताः । मूर्ध्नि संस्पर्शनादेकः प्रीतः स पुरुषो भवेत् ।

saṁspṛṣṭe hṛdaye cāsya prīyaṁte sarvadevatāḥ mūrdhni saṁsparśanādekaḥ prītaḥ sa puruṣo bhavet

Upon the touching of the heart, all the deities become pleased. Upon touching the head, the one supreme Person becomes pleased with him.

Verse 28 (padma.3.52.28)

नोच्छिष्टं कुर्वते वक्त्रे विप्रुषोंगे लगंति याः । दंतवद्दंतलग्नेषु जिह्वास्पर्शे शुचिर्भवेत् ।

nocchiṣṭaṁ kurvate vaktre vipruṣoṁge lagaṁti yāḥ daṁtavaddaṁtalagneṣu jihvāsparśe śucirbhavet

Drops that fall upon the body from the mouth do not render it impure. When something has stuck to the teeth, one becomes pure upon the touching of the tongue.

Verse 29 (padma.3.52.29)

स्पृशंति बिंदवः पादौ य आचामयतः परान् । भूमिपांशुसमा ज्ञेया न तैरस्पृश्यता भवेत् ।

spṛśaṁti biṁdavaḥ pādau ya ācāmayataḥ parān bhūmipāṁśusamā jñeyā na tairaspṛśyatā bhavet

Drops that touch the feet of one who is causing others to sip water are to be known as equal to the dust of the earth; impurity does not arise from them.

Verse 30 (padma.3.52.30)

मधुपर्के च सोमे च तांबूलस्य च भक्षणे । फलमूले चेक्षुदंडेन दोषं प्राह वै मनुः ।

madhuparke ca some ca tāṁbūlasya ca bhakṣaṇe phalamūle cekṣudaṁḍena doṣaṁ prāha vai manuḥ

In the honey-offering, and in the Soma rite, and in the chewing of betel, and using fruit, roots, or a sugarcane stalk to eat with — Manu has declared there is no fault.

Verse 31 (padma.3.52.31)

प्रचरंश्चान्नपानेषु द्रव्यहस्तो भवेन्नरः । भूमौ निक्षिप्य तद्द्रव्यमाचम्याभ्युक्षयेत्तु तत् ।

pracaraṁścānnapāneṣu dravyahasto bhavennaraḥ bhūmau nikṣipya taddravyamācamyābhyukṣayettu tat

When a man, while serving food and drink, has an item in hand, he should place that item on the ground, sip water, and then sprinkle water upon it.

Verse 32 (padma.3.52.32)

तैजसं वै समादाय यद्युच्छिष्टो भवेद्द्विजः । भूमौ निक्षिप्य तद्द्रव्यमाचम्याभ्युक्षयेत्तु तत् ।

taijasaṁ vai samādāya yadyucchiṣṭo bhaveddvijaḥ bhūmau nikṣipya taddravyamācamyābhyukṣayettu tat

If a twice-born, holding a metal vessel, becomes accidentally polluted with leftover food, he should place that item on the ground, sip water, and then sprinkle water upon it.

Verse 33 (padma.3.52.33)

यद्यद्द्रव्यं समादाय भवेदुच्छेषणान्वितः । अनिधायैव तद्द्रव्यं भूमौ त्वशुचितामियात् ।

yadyaddravyaṁ samādāya bhaveduccheṣaṇānvitaḥ anidhāyaiva taddravyaṁ bhūmau tvaśucitāmiyāt

Whatever item, held in hand, one might become associated with leftover food while holding — without setting that item down on the ground, one would incur impurity.

Verse 34 (padma.3.52.34)

वस्त्रादिषु विकल्पः स्यात्तत्संस्पृश्याचमेदिह । अरण्ये निर्जने रात्रौ चौरव्याघ्राकुले पथि ।

vastrādiṣu vikalpaḥ syāttatsaṁspṛśyācamediha araṇye nirjane rātrau cauravyāghrākule pathi

For garments and the like there is an alternative: one may touch them and sip water here without setting them down. In a forest, in a deserted place, at night, or on a road infested with thieves or tigers —

Verse 35 (padma.3.52.35)

कृत्वा मूत्रं पुरीषं वा द्रव्यहस्तो न दुष्यति । निधाय दक्षिणे कर्णे ब्रह्मसूत्रमुदङ्मुखः ।

kṛtvā mūtraṁ purīṣaṁ vā dravyahasto na duṣyati nidhāya dakṣiṇe karṇe brahmasūtramudaṅmukhaḥ

having relieved oneself of urine or feces while still holding an item in hand, one is not defiled in such circumstances. Having placed the sacred thread on the right ear, facing north —

Verse 36 (padma.3.52.36)

अह्नि कुर्याच्छकृन्मूत्रं रात्रौ चेद्दक्षिणामुखः । अंतर्धाय महीं काष्टैः पत्रैर्लोष्टतृणेन वा ।

ahni kuryācchakṛnmūtraṁ rātrau ceddakṣiṇāmukhaḥ aṁtardhāya mahīṁ kāṣṭaiḥ patrairloṣṭatṛṇena vā

one should relieve oneself in the daytime; and if at night, facing south. Having concealed the ground with sticks, leaves, a clod of earth, or grass,

Verse 37 (padma.3.52.37)

प्रावृत्य च शिरः कुर्याद्विण्मूत्रस्य विसर्जनम् । छायाकूपनदीगोष्ठचैत्यांभः पथि भस्मसु ।

prāvṛtya ca śiraḥ kuryādviṇmūtrasya visarjanam chāyākūpanadīgoṣṭhacaityāṁbhaḥ pathi bhasmasu

and having covered his head, he should perform the discharge of feces and urine. He should never relieve himself in shade, in a well, in a river, in a cow-shed, at a shrine, in water, on a road, or in ashes,

Verse 38 (padma.3.52.38)

अग्नौ चैव श्मशाने च विण्मूत्रं न समाचरेत् । न गोमयेन काष्ठे वा महावृक्षेऽथ शाद्वले ।

agnau caiva śmaśāne ca viṇmūtraṁ na samācaret na gomayena kāṣṭhe vā mahāvṛkṣe'tha śādvale

nor in fire, nor in a cremation ground. Not on cow-dung or wood, nor beneath a great tree, nor on a meadow,

Verse 39 (padma.3.52.39)

न तिष्ठन्न च निर्वासा न च पर्वतमंडले । न जीर्णदेवायतने वल्मीके न कदाचन ।

na tiṣṭhanna ca nirvāsā na ca parvatamaṁḍale na jīrṇadevāyatane valmīke na kadācana

not while standing, not while unclothed, not within a mountain enclosure, not in a dilapidated temple, and never on an anthill,

Verse 40 (padma.3.52.40)

न ससत्वेषु गर्तेषु न गच्छन्न समाचरेत् । तुषांगारकपालेषु राजमार्गे तथैव च ।

na sasatveṣu garteṣu na gacchanna samācaret tuṣāṁgārakapāleṣu rājamārge tathaiva ca

not in pits containing living creatures, and not while walking. Nor on husks, embers, or potsherds, nor likewise on a royal highway,

Verse 41 (padma.3.52.41)

न क्षेत्रे न बिले वापि न तीर्थे न चतुष्पथे । नोद्यानेऽपासमीपे वा नोषरे नगराशये ।

na kṣetre na bile vāpi na tīrthe na catuṣpathe nodyāne'pāsamīpe vā noṣare nagarāśaye

not in a field, not in a burrow, not at a tirtha, not at a crossroads, not in a garden, not near water, not on barren saline ground, nor at a heap near a city,

Verse 42 (padma.3.52.42)

न सोपानत्पादुको वा छत्री वा नांतरिक्षके । न चैवाभिमुखः स्त्रीणां गुरुब्राह्मणयोर्गवाम् ।

na sopānatpāduko vā chatrī vā nāṁtarikṣake na caivābhimukhaḥ strīṇāṁ gurubrāhmaṇayorgavām

not while wearing sandals, nor holding an umbrella, nor in the open air facing improperly. And never facing women, one's guru, Brahmins, or cows,

Verse 43 (padma.3.52.43)

न देवदेवालययोरपामपि कदाचन । न ज्योतींषि निरीक्षन्वानवाप्रतिमुखोथ वा ।

na devadevālayayorapāmapi kadācana na jyotīṁṣi nirīkṣanvānavāpratimukhotha vā

nor ever facing a god or a temple, or water. And not while looking at the heavenly lights, nor facing the wind,

Verse 44 (padma.3.52.44)

प्रत्यादित्यं प्रत्यनलं प्रतिसोमं तथैव च । आहृत्य मृत्तिकां कूलाल्लेपगंधापकर्षणीम् ।

pratyādityaṁ pratyanalaṁ pratisomaṁ tathaiva ca āhṛtya mṛttikāṁ kūlāllepagaṁdhāpakarṣaṇīm

not facing the sun, not facing fire, and likewise not facing the moon. Having brought clay from a riverbank, sufficient to remove the smell of impurity —

Verse 45 (padma.3.52.45)

कुर्यादतंद्रितः शौचं विशुद्धैरुद्धृतोदकैः । नाहरेन्मृतिकां विप्रः पांशुलां न सकर्दमाम् ।

kuryādataṁdritaḥ śaucaṁ viśuddhairuddhṛtodakaiḥ nāharenmṛtikāṁ vipraḥ pāṁśulāṁ na sakardamām

one should perform the purification without laziness, using clean drawn water. A Brahmin should not use clay that is dusty or muddy;

Verse 46 (padma.3.52.46)

न मार्गान्नोषराद्देशाच्छौचशिष्टां परस्य च । न देवायतनात्कूपाद्धाम्नो न च जलात्तथा ।

na mārgānnoṣarāddeśācchaucaśiṣṭāṁ parasya ca na devāyatanātkūpāddhāmno na ca jalāttathā

not from a road, not from barren land, nor clay left over from another's purification; not from a temple, a well, a residence, or from within water;

Verse 47 (padma.3.52.47)

उपस्पृशेत्ततो नित्यं पूर्वोक्तेन विधानतः ।

upaspṛśettato nityaṁ pūrvoktena vidhānataḥ

having done this, he should then always sip water, according to the rule previously described.