Garuda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 14

Devanagari script

अपामार्गं च विल्वं च करवीरं च धावने / उदङ्मुखः प्राङ्मुखो वा भक्षयेद्दन्तधावनम्

Transliteration

apāmārgaṃ ca vilvaṃ ca karavīraṃ ca dhāvane / udaṅmukhaḥ prāṅmukho vā bhakṣayeddantadhāvanam

Translation

দাঁত পৰিষ্কাৰ কৰিবলৈ অপামাৰ্গ, বিল্ব বা কৰবীৰৰ দাতন ব্যৱহাৰ কৰিব লাগে। উত্তৰমুখ বা পূৰ্বমুখ হৈ দন্তধাৱন কৰা উচিত।

Word by Word

• अपामार्गम्: apāmārga plant
• अपामार्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपामार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विल्वम्: bilva (bael)
• विल्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विल्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• करवीरम्: karavīra (oleander)
• करवीरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• धावने: in/for cleansing
• धावने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; ‘in/for cleansing (teeth-cleaning context)’

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north
• उदङ्मुखः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उदङ् दिशि मुखं यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• प्राङ्मुखः: facing east
• प्राङ्मुखः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्राङ् दिशि मुखं यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वा: or
• वा: Connector (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• भक्षयेत्: should chew/eat
• भक्षयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• दन्तधावनम्: tooth-cleaning (chewing-stick cleansing)
• दन्तधावनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त + धावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (दन्तानां धावनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Daily śauca includes danta-dhāvana with prescribed plants and auspicious orientation.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline (niyama) as groundwork for mental steadiness.

Application: Adopt a consistent, mindful hygiene routine; choose safe, traditional cleansing materials where appropriate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household courtyard/riverbank edge; morning routine space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.15 (post-meal cleansing; offerings)

FAQs

What is the importance of tooth-cleaning (dantadhavana) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily cleanliness as part of dharmic daily discipline (nitya-ācāra), prescribing specific twigs and proper orientation to support ritual purity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: the Garuda Purana links disciplined conduct and purity with dharma; such habitual observances shape one’s karmic disposition, which is central to the post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent morning hygiene routine with mindful discipline; if following tradition, prefer east/north orientation and use safe, appropriate natural alternatives (or modern dental care) while preserving the intent of cleanliness and self-restraint.