Shloka 22

Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva

Devanagari script

आचामाभ्यङ्गमुद्वर्तं स्नानं निर्ंमथनं चरेत् / वस्त्रं विलेपनं पुष्पं धूपं दीपं चरुं ददेत्

Transliteration

ācāmābhyaṅgamudvartaṃ snānaṃ nirṃmathanaṃ caret / vastraṃ vilepanaṃ puṣpaṃ dhūpaṃ dīpaṃ caruṃ dadet

Translation

Man vollziehe ācāmana, die Ölung (abhyanga) und das Einreiben mit duftenden Pulvern (udvarta), dann bade man und reinige sich gründlich. Danach bringe man Gewand, Salben, Blumen, Räucherwerk, eine Lampe und caru, die gekochte Opfergabe, dar.

Word by Word

• आचाम: sipping (ritual ācamana)
• आचाम: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्मवाच्य-प्रयोगे कर्म

• अभ्यङ्ग: oil-anointing, massage
• अभ्यङ्ग: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि-√अञ्ज् (धातु) → अभ्यङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• उद्वर्तम्: rubbing/powdering (udvartana)
• उद्वर्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद्-√वृत् (धातु) → उद्वर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• स्नानम्: bath
• स्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √स्ना (धातु) → स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• निर्मथनम्: churning/rubbing (ritual cleansing)
• निर्मथनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्-√मथ् (धातु) → निर्मथन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

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

• वस्त्रम्: cloth/garment
• वस्त्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• विलेपनम्: anointing, smearing (paste)
• विलेपनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि-√लिप् (धातु) → विलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• पुष्पम्: flower
• पुष्पम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• धूपम्: incense
• धूपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• दीपम्: lamp
• दीपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• चरुम्: cooked oblation (caru)
• चरुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• ददेत्: should give/offer
• ददेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; विधि/आज्ञार्थ (should give/offer)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Outer purity (ācāmana, snāna, anulepana) supports inner steadiness; offerings (puṣpa, dhūpa, dīpa, caru) externalize devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga/upāsanā as purification of the instrument (antaḥkaraṇa) through disciplined action.

Application: Before pūjā: wash/sip water, bathe if possible, wear clean cloth; offer at least flower, incense, lamp; if doing naivedya, prepare a simple caru/food offering with cleanliness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household shrine/bathing area leading to altar

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: ritual purity and offerings recur across pūjā and śrāddha-related instructions (general linkage)

FAQs

What is the importance of purification (ācamana, bath, cleansing) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames purification as the proper prerequisite to worship: internal and external cleanliness is followed by offerings, indicating that ritual acts should begin from śauca (purity) and disciplined conduct.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on dharma?

Rather than describing the afterlife here, the text emphasizes right practice in daily life—purity, orderly preparation, and respectful offerings—presenting dharma as lived discipline that supports spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin any prayer or sacred act with basic cleanliness and a calm routine, then offer what you can (light, flowers, food) with sincerity and consistency.