Shloka 27

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

रात्रौ च दक्षिणे कुर्यादुभे सन्ध्ये यथा दिवा / छायायामन्धकारे वा रात्रौ वाहनि वा द्विजः

Transliteration

rātrau ca dakṣiṇe kuryādubhe sandhye yathā divā / chāyāyāmandhakāre vā rātrau vāhani vā dvijaḥ

Translation

حتى في الليل، ينبغي للـ«دْوِيجا» (المولود مرتين) أن يؤدي طقسي السَّنْدْهْيَا كليهما وهو متجهٌ إلى الجنوب كما في النهار—سواء كان في الظل أو في الظلمة، وحتى وهو مسافرٌ ليلاً.

Word by Word

• रात्रौ: at night
• रात्रौ: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोगः (locative adverbial: "at night")

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• दक्षिणे: on the right (side)
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन ("on the right side")

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• उभे: both
• उभे: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन; विशेषणम्

• सन्ध्ये: twilight rites (morning and evening)
• सन्ध्ये: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), द्विवचन

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (adverb: "as, just as")

• दिवा: by day
• दिवा: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दिव्/दिवा (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb: "by day")

• छायायाम्: in shade
• छायायाम्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छाया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• अन्धकारे: in darkness
• अन्धकारे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्धकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात (particle: "or")

• रात्रौ: at night
• रात्रौ: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; कालवाचक ("at night")

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात (particle: "or")

• अहनि: in the daytime
• अहनि: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन ("in the day")

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात (particle: "or")

• द्विजः: a twice-born (Brahmin)
• द्विजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya-karma (sandhya-vandana) should be maintained even under non-ideal circumstances (night, darkness, travel).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga as purification (citta-shuddhi) supporting higher knowledge; steadiness (niyama) over convenience.

Application: Maintain a minimal, safe, and sincere sandhya routine even when traveling or at night; prioritize continuity of practice while adapting posture/place to circumstances.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: liminal time-space (sandhya; night travel)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213 (sadachara/shaucha context continuing)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija

FAQs

What is the importance of performing Sandhya at night according to the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the two twilight rites should be maintained even at night, emphasizing continuity of daily dharma regardless of conditions.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on dharma?

It reinforces disciplined observance: ritual duties are not abandoned due to darkness, shade, or travel, reflecting steadfast adherence to prescribed conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep core daily spiritual disciplines consistent; when ideal conditions are unavailable (time, travel, lighting), adapt respectfully rather than skipping entirely.