Shloka 62

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

पर्णोदुम्बरराजीवबील्वपत्रकुशोदकैः / प्रत्येकं प्रत्यहाभ्यस्तैः पर्ण कृच्छ्र उदाहृतः

Transliteration

parṇodumbararājīvabīlvapatrakuśodakaiḥ / pratyekaṃ pratyahābhyastaiḥ parṇa kṛcchra udāhṛtaḥ

Translation

Es wird verkündet, dass die Observanz namens „parṇa-kṛcchra“ (Blatt-Askese) darin besteht, Tag für Tag jeweils nur eine einzelne Portion zu sich zu nehmen: Blätter von palāśa, udumbara, Lotus und bilva, zusammen mit Wasser, das durch kuśa-Gras geheiligt ist.

Word by Word

• पर्णोदुम्बरराजीवबील्वपत्रकुशोदकैः: with waters (infusions) of leaves of udumbara, lotus, bilva-leaf, and kuśa
• पर्णोदुम्बरराजीवबील्वपत्रकुशोदकैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्ण + उदुम्बर + राजीव + बील्वपत्र + कुश + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—पर्ण-उदुम्बर-राजीव-बी्ल्वपत्र-कुश-उदक-समाहारः (उदकैः इति प्रधानपदम्)

• प्रत्येकम्: each (one)
• प्रत्येकम्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रत्येक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/वितरणार्थक क्रियाविशेषणम् (distributive adverb)

• प्रत्यह: daily
• प्रत्यह: Adverbial (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति + अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषणम्

• अभ्यस्तैः: practised/used
• अभ्यस्तैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्यस् (धातु) → अभ्यस्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP); पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘पर्णोदकैः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• पर्णकृच्छ्रः: the ‘leaf-kṛcchra’ penance
• पर्णकृच्छ्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्ण + कृच्छ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (पर्णैः सम्बन्धः)

• उदाहृतः: is declared
• उदाहृतः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + आ + √हृ (धातु) → उदाहृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थः—‘is declared/said’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prāyaścitta through regulated diet (parṇa-kṛcchra) using ritually pure substances.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-śuddhi as a preparatory discipline (sādhana-catuṣṭaya: śama/dama) supporting clarity for higher knowledge.

Application: Adopt measured austerity and purity rules under guidance; use restraint and simple sattvic intake to correct lapses and stabilize conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (prāyaścitta/kṛcchra sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of Parṇa-kṛcchra in the Garuda Purana?

It defines a specific prāyaścitta (expiatory discipline) where one practices daily restraint by taking only leaf-based portions with kuśa-sanctified water, aimed at purification through regulated austerity.

How does this verse relate to purification and karmic consequences?

By prescribing a structured austerity (kṛcchra), the text presents a dharmic method to counteract impurities and wrongdoing through self-control and ritual discipline rather than mere verbal repentance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt disciplined restraint—periodic fasting or simplified diet with mindful purity and intention—while keeping the focus on ethical correction and sustained self-control.