Shloka 7

Śiva-pūjā: Mantra-phonetics, Nyāsa, Maṇḍala, Dīkṣā and Homa

Supreme Worship Leading to Śiva-sāyujya

Devanagari script

आचामं स्नपनं पूजामेकाधारणतुल्यकम्? / अग्निकार्यविधिं वक्ष्ये अस्त्रेणोल्लेखनं चरेत्

Transliteration

ācāmaṃ snapanaṃ pūjāmekādhāraṇatulyakam? / agnikāryavidhiṃ vakṣye astreṇollekhanaṃ caret

Translation

Ācamana (ritueller Wasserschluck), Bad und Verehrung sind als einer einzigen, einheitlichen Observanz gleichwertig zu betrachten. Nun werde ich das Verfahren des Feuerritus darlegen; man vollziehe die vorgeschriebene Markierung/Einritzung mittels des schützenden Astra-Mantras.

Word by Word

• आचामम्: sipping (ācāmana)
• आचामम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• स्नपनम्: bathing/ablution
• स्नपनम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• पूजाम्: worship
• पूजाम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• एकाधारणतुल्यकम्: equivalent as one (single act)
• एकाधारणतुल्यकम्: विशेषण (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + आधारणा/आधारण (प्रातिपदिक) + तुल्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (एकेन आधारणेन तुल्यकं = 'equivalent to a single support/act'); पाठे प्रश्नचिह्नः अनिश्चित-पाठ-सूचक

• अग्निकार्यविधिम्: the procedure of the fire-rite
• अग्निकार्यविधिम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + कार्य (प्रातिपदिक) + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अग्नेः कार्यस्य विधिः)

• वक्ष्ये: I shall tell
• वक्ष्ये: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (simple future), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद (वक्ष्ये)

• अस्त्रेण: with the astra (weapon-mantra)
• अस्त्रेण: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• उल्लेखनम्: marking/sprinkling (tracing)
• उल्लेखनम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत् + लेखन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• चरेत्: should do/perform
• चरेत्: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual acts (ācāmana, snāpana, pūjā) form a unified sādhana when held in single-pointed continuity; homa is then undertaken with protection.

Vedantic Theme: Ekāgratā (one-pointedness) as purifier; karma-yoga principle—right performance with integrated intent.

Application: Bundle preparatory steps into one mindful routine (sip water, cleanse, worship) without distraction; then begin any major practice (homa/japa) by setting a clear protective boundary/intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: homa-kunda / ritual hearth (external) with internal discipline (single observance)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.22.3-4 (nyāsa, astra purification); Garuda Purana 1.22.6 (heart-offerings and upacāras)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of achamana, bathing, and puja being treated as one observance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames these three as a unified purification-and-worship discipline, emphasizing inner readiness and ritual completeness rather than fragmented actions.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ritual procedure (vidhi)?

It transitions directly into the agni-kārya-vidhi, indicating that purification and worship form the prerequisite foundation before undertaking fire-rites and protective ritual markings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent sequence—basic purification, cleanliness, and focused worship—before any sacred practice; treat preparation and devotion as one integrated discipline.