Shloka 15

Vratas, Nakṣatra Observances, Naivedya Rules, and Tithi-wise Devatā Worship

Devanagari script

एकभक्तेन नक्तेन तथैवायाचितेन च / उपवासेन शाकाद्यैः पूजयन्तसर्वदेवताः

Transliteration

ekabhaktena naktena tathaivāyācitena ca / upavāsena śākādyaiḥ pūjayantasarvadevatāḥ

Translation

Indem man nur einmal am Tag isst, nur nachts Nahrung zu sich nimmt, nur Ungefordertes annimmt, fastet und von Gemüse und Ähnlichem lebt, verehrt man dadurch alle Gottheiten und erfreut sie.

Word by Word

• एकभक्तेन: with single-meal observance
• एकभक्तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगः (भक्त-शब्दः), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्; 'एक-भक्त' = एकवारं भुक्तिः (single meal)

• नक्तेन: with night-only eating
• नक्तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगः, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्; नक्तभोजन-व्रत-रूपेण

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम् (adverb)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (निपात-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (emphatic particle)

• आयाचितेन: with what is obtained without asking
• आयाचितेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ + याच् (धातु) → आयाचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used nominally), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्; 'अनायाचित' अर्थे सन्दर्भः—याचितं न कृत्वा (without begging)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• उपवासेन: by fasting
• उपवासेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्

• शाकाद्यैः: with vegetables etc.
• शाकाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचनम्; 'शाक-आदि' = vegetables etc.

• पूजयन्ति: worship
• पूजयन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), बहुवचनम्

• सर्वदेवताः: all the deities
• सर्वदेवताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचनम्; 'सर्व-देवता' = all deities

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Modes of regulated eating and fasting function as a comprehensive devotional act, pleasing all deities through self-restraint and purity.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint) and sattva-uddhi as supports for spiritual progress; offering of the self through discipline.

Application: Adopt one restraint practice: ekabhukta (one meal), nakta (night meal), ayacita (accept only unsolicited), periodic fasting, or simple vegetarian meals—chosen according to capacity and health.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.137 (vrata as worship)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Sarva-devatāḥ

FAQs

What is the importance of dietary vows (vrata) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents disciplined eating—ekabhakta, nakta, ayācita, upavāsa, and simple food—as a direct mode of worship that pleases all deities, emphasizing self-restraint as a core dharmic practice.

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

By advocating restraint and non-indulgence, it implies karmic purification through tapas (austerity): reducing desire and attachment becomes a practical method for spiritual merit and inner cleanliness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a manageable discipline—such as eating once mindfully, avoiding unnecessary indulgence, occasional fasting, or keeping a simple sattvic diet—as a form of worship and ethical self-training.