Shloka 14

Gaṇapati-Mantra Siddhi, Vighna-Nivāraṇa Rites, Vśīkaraṇa-Style Applications, and Cikitsā

Therapeutic Formulas

Devanagari script

एतैर्धूपो वशकरः स्मरबाणैः स्मारार्दनः / रतिकाले महादेव पार्वतीप्रिय शङ्कर

Transliteration

etairdhūpo vaśakaraḥ smarabāṇaiḥ smārārdanaḥ / ratikāle mahādeva pārvatīpriya śaṅkara

Translation

Mit diesen (Zutaten) wird der Weihrauch zu einem Instrument der Anziehung; er trifft wie Kamas Pfeile und entflammt das Verlangen. Zur Zeit des Liebesspiels – O Mahadeva, O Shankara, Geliebter der Parvati – (wird er so verwendet).

Word by Word

• etaiḥ: with these
• etaiḥ: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• dhūpaḥ: incense
• dhūpaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• vaśakaraḥ: subjugating
• vaśakaraḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaśa + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; वशं करोति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• smarabāṇaiḥ: with Cupid's arrows
• smarabāṇaiḥ: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: smara + bāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; स्मरस्य बाणाः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• smārārdanaḥ: tormenting (with) passion
• smārārdanaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smāra + ardana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; स्मारान् अर्दयति इति (कर्म-तत्पुरुष/उपपद)

• ratikāle: at the time of lovemaking
• ratikāle: Adhikarana (Time/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratikāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; रतेः कालः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• mahādeva: O Mahādeva
• mahādeva: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahādeva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; महा + देव (कर्मधारय)

• pārvatīpriya: O beloved of Pārvatī
• pārvatīpriya: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārvatī + priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; पार्वत्याः प्रियः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• śaṅkara: O Śaṅkara
• śaṅkara: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhūpa (fumigation) as a karmic instrument producing immediate psychological/affective effects (saṃmohana/uddīpana).

Vedantic Theme: Kāma as a powerful vṛtti; when indulged, it binds; when understood, it can be sublimated.

Application: As interpretive takeaway: observe how sensory inputs (smell) condition mind-states; apply ethically in consensual intimacy (e.g., calming fragrances) rather than coercion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: private chamber/ritual space (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.185.13 (ingredient list for dhūpa)

Characters & Entities

• Mahadeva
• Shankara
• Parvati
• Smara (Kama)

FAQs

What is the importance of dhūpa (ritual incense) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse presents dhūpa as a functional ritual tool whose fragrance is said to influence the mind—specifically to arouse attraction and desire, likened to Kāma’s arrows.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teachings?

While much of the Garuda Purana is known for afterlife and dharma, it also contains sections describing ritual applications and their intended psychological or worldly effects; this verse belongs to that practical-ritual strand.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Read it as a reminder that sensory inputs (like fragrance) can strongly shape mood and desire; use such influences ethically, with self-control and respect in relationships.