Shloka 152

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

अमावासी वसेदत्र एकहायनमेव वा

Transliteration

amāvāsī vasedatra ekahāyanameva vā

Translation

Wer das Amāvāsyā-Gelübde hält, soll hier verweilen — sei es einen Tag und eine Nacht oder sogar ein volles Jahr.

Word by Word

• अमावासी: one who stays on new-moon day / an amāvāsī
• अमावासी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमावासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; अमावास्यां वसति इति (अमावासिन्)

• वसेत्: should dwell
• वसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• एकहायनम्: for one year
• एकहायनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक + हायन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (एकं हायनम् = one year)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha/Alternative (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vrata is strengthened by deśa-kāla-niyama (discipline of place and time).

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a preparatory means (sādhana) for higher knowledge/devotion.

Application: Choose a consistent sacred/quiet place for observance; keep a clear time-commitment (minimum/maximum) and follow it without wavering.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha/kshetra (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Ācāra sections): general Amāvāsyā-śrāddha and vrata discussions (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Amavasya

FAQs

What is the importance of Amāvāsyā observance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Amāvāsyā as a formal vow (vrata) with a prescribed discipline—residing in a designated sacred place—indicating its ritual gravity and merit-oriented intent.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana guidance on post-death rites?

The Garuda Purana frequently frames vows and regulated conduct as supports for dharma and auspicious outcomes; Amāvāsyā observance is commonly tied to ancestral rites and purification disciplines that complement śrāddha-oriented practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep a disciplined Amāvāsyā practice—simple fasting, prayer, charity, and if possible spending time in a temple or sacred setting—focusing on restraint and remembrance of dharma.