Shloka 11

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मण्या कर्तितं सूत्रं त्रिगुणं त्रिगुणीकृतम् / ॐ कारो ऽथ शिवः सोमो ह्यग्निर्ब्रह्या फणी रविः

Transliteration

brāhmaṇyā kartitaṃ sūtraṃ triguṇaṃ triguṇīkṛtam / oṃ kāro 'tha śivaḥ somo hyagnirbrahyā phaṇī raviḥ

Translation

Die heilige Schnur (yajñopavīta), von einer brāhmaṇa-Frau gefertigt, ist dreifach und wiederum dreifach verflochten. Ihre drei Stränge sind zu betrachten als Oṃ, als Śiva, als Soma, als Agni, als Brahmā, als Nāga (die Schlange) und als Ravi (die Sonne).

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मण्या: by a brāhmaṇī
• ब्राह्मण्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करण (by a brāhmaṇī/woman of brāhmaṇa)

• कर्तितम्: made/prepared
• कर्तितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत्/कॄत् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, भूतकर्मणि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; ‘कृत/निर्मित’ अर्थे

• सूत्रम्: thread
• सूत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• त्रिगुणम्: threefold; having three strands
• त्रिगुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (त्रयो गुणाः यस्मिन्)

• त्रिगुणीकृतम्: made triple-stranded
• त्रिगुणीकृतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिगुणी (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, भूतकर्मणि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; ‘त्रिगुणी-कृत’ = made into three strands

• ॐ: Oṃ
• ॐ: Sambandha (Apposition/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (अव्यय/प्रणव)
• Form: प्रणव-शब्द (sacred syllable), अव्यय

• कारः: the syllable/utterance
• कारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘कार’ = syllable/utterance

• अथ: then/now
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-निपात (then/now)

• शिवः: Śiva
• शिवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• सोमः: Soma
• सोमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-निपात (indeed/for)

• अग्निः: Agni
• अग्निः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• ब्रह्या: Brahmā/Brahyā (as read)
• ब्रह्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; पाठभेदः सम्भवः: ‘ब्रह्मा’ (पुं, प्रथमा)

• फणी: the serpent
• फणी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘सर्प’ अर्थे

• रविः: the Sun
• रविः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रवि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Symbolic superimposition (bhāvanā/adhyāropa) of cosmic principles and deities onto the yajñopavīta to sanctify conduct.

Vedantic Theme: From nāma-rūpa symbols to inner contemplation; unity of the sacred (eka-tattva) expressed through many devatā-forms.

Application: While wearing/handling the sacred thread, cultivate mindful remembrance: see it as a support for mantra-japa, self-restraint, and reverence for the cosmic order.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: upanayana/ritual seat

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43.12 (deities in strands and tri-cord)

Characters & Entities

• Om (Oṃkāra)
• Shiva
• Soma
• Agni
• Brahma
• Phani (Nāga)
• Ravi (Sun)

FAQs

What is the importance of the sacred thread (yajñopavīta) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the sacred thread as a ritually empowered, threefold (and triplicated) emblem of divine principles—meant for contemplation as Oṃ and as key deities—thereby linking daily conduct and rites to dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct ritual identity and sacred symbolism, it supports the dharmic discipline that purifies karma—an essential foundation in Garuda Purana teachings about post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sacred markers and daily rites as mindful practice: remember the thread’s threefold discipline (purity, restraint, remembrance of the Divine) rather than wearing it as mere custom.