Shloka 13

Sandhyā-Upāsanā Vidhi: Prāṇāyāma, Water Purification, Aghāmarpaṇa, Sūrya Worship, Nyāsa, and Gāyatrī Japa

Devanagari script

विन्यसेत्कवचे विद्वान्द्वितीयं नेत्रयोर्न्यसेत् / तृतीयेनाङ्गविन्यासं चतुर्थं सर्वतो न्यसेत्

Transliteration

vinyasetkavace vidvāndvitīyaṃ netrayornyaset / tṛtīyenāṅgavinyāsaṃ caturthaṃ sarvato nyaset

Translation

Der Kundige soll (das Mantra) auf das kavaca, den Schutzpanzer, niederlegen; das zweite soll er auf beide Augen legen. Mit dem dritten vollziehe er das aṅga-nyāsa an den Gliedern, und mit dem vierten lege er es ringsum, nach allen Seiten.

Word by Word

• विन्यसेत्: should place/assign
• विन्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• कवचे: in the armor (kavaca)
• कवचे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विद्वान्: the learned person
• विद्वान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृवाचक (knower)

• द्वितीयम्: second
• द्वितीयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• नेत्रयोः: in the two eyes
• नेत्रयोः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी/षष्ठी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; अत्र अधिकरणार्थे (in the two eyes)

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• तृतीयेन: with the third (pada)
• तृतीयेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तृतीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; साधनम् (by/with the third)

• अङ्गविन्यासम्: placement on the limbs (aṅga-nyāsa)
• अङ्गविन्यासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + विन्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (अङ्गानां विन्यासः)

• चतुर्थम्: fourth
• चतुर्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• सर्वतः: everywhere/on all sides
• सर्वतः: Adhikarana (Scope/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय; सर्व + तस्)
• Form: अव्ययम्; दिशाबोधक/पर्याय-क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb: on all sides/everywhere)

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual completeness: protection of self, senses, limbs, and environment through ordered mantra-nyāsa.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-saṃyama and saṅkalpa-śuddhi: sanctifying perception and action as part of sādhana.

Application: Apply nyāsa sequentially—kavaca, eyes, limbs, then directional enclosure—treating it as a mental ‘boundary-setting’ before japa.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual body-and-space mandala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.36.12 (vyāhṛti-nyāsa); Garuda Purana 1.36.14 (Sandhyā-japa); Garuda Purana 1.36.15 (viniyoga/ṛṣi/chandas before japa)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of kavaca and nyāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents nyāsa as a precise ritual technology: the mantra is installed on the kavaca (protective field), the eyes, the limbs, and finally all directions—creating layered protection and steadiness for worship or japa.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing disciplined mantra-vidhi and protective rites, it supports purity and spiritual preparedness—themes the Garuda Purana connects with one’s post-death condition and auspicious transitions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a structured practice: begin with protective intention (kavaca), cultivate right perception (netra/eyes), align the body with the practice (aṅga-nyāsa), and conclude with all-around safeguarding (sarvato), even if done in a simplified, reverent form.