CHARUCHARYA Part III

 

नोत्तरस्यां प्रतीच्यां  वा कुर्वीत शयने शिरः । शय्याविपर्ययाद्‌ गर्भो दितेः शक्रेण पातितः ॥ ६ ॥

Nottarasyāṁ pratīcyāṁ vā kurvīta śayane śiraḥ |

Śayyā-viparyayād garbho Diteḥ Śakreṇa pātitaḥ || 6 ||

Translation

One should not sleep with the head facing north or west.
Because of improper sleeping posture, Indra destroyed the son of Diti.

Improper bodily discipline leads to harm. This verse warns that even small violations of conduct can have serious consequences, as shown in the Purāṇic example.

अर्थिभुक्तावशिष्टं यत्तदश्नीयान्महाशयः । श्वेतोऽर्थिरहितं भुक्त्वा निजमांसाशनोऽभवत् ॥ ७ ॥

Arthi-bhuktāvaśiṣṭaṁ yat tad aśnīyān mahāśayaḥ |

Śveto’(a)rthirahitaṁ bhuktvā nijamāṁsāśano’bhavat || 7 ||

Translation

A noble person should eat only after feeding guests and beggars.
King Śveta ate without giving alms and later had to eat his own flesh in the next world.

Hospitality is a sacred duty. Ignoring the hungry brings severe karmic consequences, as illustrated by this story.

सधौतचरणः शुचिर्जपहोमाचरेन्नरः । पादशौचविहीनं हि प्रविवेश नलं कलिः ॥ ८ ॥

Sadhautacaraṇaḥ śucir japahomācaren naraḥ |
Pādaśaucavihīnaṁ hi praviveśa nalaṁ Kaliḥ || 8 ||

Translation

One should perform japa, homa, and worship only after washing the feet properly.  Because of impurity, Kali entered King Nala's body.

Physical cleanliness supports spiritual purity. Neglecting cleanliness invites negative forces.

न सञ्चरणशीलः स्यान्निशि निर्भयमानसः । माण्डव्यः शूललीनोऽभूदचौरश्शचोरशङ्कया ॥ ९ ॥

Na saṅcaraṇasilas syān niśi nirbhayamānasaḥ |
Māṇḍavyaḥ śūlalino’bhūd acaurascaurasaṅkayā || 9 ||

Translation

One should not roam fearlessly at night.  Because of wandering at night, sage Māṇḍavya was wrongly punished as a thief.

Carelessness can lead to injustice. One must be cautious in conduct.

न कुर्यात् परदारेच्छां विश्वासं स्त्रीषु वर्जयेत् । हतो दशास्यः सीतार्थे विश्वासाद् हि विदूरथः ॥ १० ॥

Na kuryāt paradārecchāṁ viśvāsaṁ strīṣu varjayet |
Hato daśāsyaḥ sītārthe viśvāsāt hi Vidurathaḥ || 10 ||

Translation

One should not desire another’s wife and should not trust strangers blindly. Rāvaṇa was killed because of desire for Sītā, and a renowned king Viduratha died due to blind trust unto her wife.

Self-control and caution are essential virtues. Desire and blind trust lead to destruction.

These verses collectively teach cleanliness, devotion, discipline, hospitality, caution, and moral restraint, supported by powerful Purāṇic examples.

Together, these verses teach two important lessons: first, that devotion to God protects and uplifts the devotee; and second, that rituals like Śrāddha must be performed with faith and scriptural discipline. Both verses emphasize sincerity, devotion, and respect for sacred traditions as essential elements of spiritual life.