Patita
Patita, “fallen, one fallen from his dharma”
Grammar: past participle of the root pat (to fall), used as an adjective and a masculine noun: “fallen”.
Meaning: one who has fallen from his own dharma; in this text, one who leaves his svadharma (own dharma) for paradharma (another’s dharma) when no calamity has forced him.
In the scriptures: in their teaching on conduct to the rākshasa king Sukeśī, the ṛshis say that food must not be taken from sūtikas, shaṇḍhas, mārjāras (cats), mūshikas (rats), śunakas (dogs), kukkuṭas (cocks), patitas, apaviddhas, nagnas, cāṇḍālas and other lowly ones. When Sukeśī asks the marks of each, they say: the patita, “fallen”, is one who, though no āpada (calamity) has befallen him, leaves his own dharma and takes up another’s dharma. Do not eat from his hand (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 15).
Related terms: Svadharma · Apaviddha · Nagna · Cāṇḍāla · Dharma
Sources
- Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 15