Shloka 11

Tithi-Vrata Vidhāna: Śikhī-vrata (Pratipadā), Tṛtīyā Devī/Śrīdhara rites, Gaṇeśa Caturthī Mantra-Nyāsa, and Nāga Pañcamī

Devanagari script

चतुर्थ्यां सितमाघादौ निराहारो व्रतान्वितः / दत्त्वा तिलांस्तु विप्राय स्वयं भुङ्क्ते तिलोदकम्

Transliteration

caturthyāṃ sitamāghādau nirāhāro vratānvitaḥ / dattvā tilāṃstu viprāya svayaṃ bhuṅkte tilodakam

Translation

Am Caturthī, dem vierten Mondtag, beginnend mit der hellen Monatshälfte des Māgha, soll man das Gelübde unter Fasten halten. Nachdem man einem Brāhmaṇa Sesam gespendet hat, nehme man selbst nur Sesamwasser zu sich.

Word by Word

• caturthyām: on the fourth (tithi)
• caturthyām: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturthī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तिथिवाचक-शब्दः

• sita-māgha-ādau: at the beginning of bright Māgha (and so on)
• sita-māgha-ādau: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sita (प्रातिपदिक) + māgha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (sitaḥ māghaḥ ādiḥ yasya—'in the bright Māgha etc.')

• nirāhāraḥ: fasting, without food
• nirāhāraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirāhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (कर्तरि)

• vrata-anvitaḥ: endowed with vows/observances
• vrata-anvitaḥ: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (प्रातिपदिक; √i + अनु उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (nirāhāraḥ)

• dattvā: having given
• dattvā: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive/gerund)

• tilān: sesame seeds
• tilān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• tu: indeed, then
• tu: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात-अव्ययम् (particle: emphasis/contrast)

• viprāya: to a brāhmaṇa
• viprāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, चतुर्थी-विभक्तिः (Dative/4th), एकवचनम्

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Karta (Agent-emphasis/कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: कर्तृवाचक-अव्ययम् (reflexive adverb: 'oneself')

• bhuṅkte: eats/consumes
• bhuṅkte: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्

• tila-udakam: water with sesame (sesame-water)
• tila-udakam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक) + udaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (tilaiḥ yuktaṃ udakam)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Niyama (fasting), dāna (tila to brāhmaṇa), and regulated diet (tilodaka) together generate merit and ritual efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Tapas and self-restraint as citta-śuddhi; karma performed with discipline supports higher well-being.

Application: Observe periodic fasting with clear rules; pair austerity with charity; keep post-rite intake simple and intentional.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual observance setting (home/temple)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata prescriptions by tithi; sesame (tila) as purificatory substance; brāhmaṇa-dāna as rite-support

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa
• Māgha
• Caturthī (tithi)

FAQs

What is the importance of sesame donation (tila-dāna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links a Māgha caturthī vow with gifting sesame to a brāhmaṇa, presenting tila-dāna as a purifying, merit-producing act that completes the vrata.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on karma and purification?

By prescribing fasting, vow-discipline, and charity, the verse emphasizes karma-shuddhi (purification through right action) as a practical method for reducing moral impurities and accruing puṇya.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe a simple fast or dietary restraint on caturthī, give charity (especially food or essentials) with humility, and keep the practice disciplined and sattvic—focusing on self-control and generosity.