Shloka 13

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

सौवर्णे राजते ताम्रे वैणवे मृन्मये न्यसेत् / अङ्गुष्ठेन चतुः षष्टिः श्रेष्ठं मध्यं तदर्धतः

Transliteration

sauvarṇe rājate tāmre vaiṇave mṛnmaye nyaset / aṅguṣṭhena catuḥ ṣaṣṭiḥ śreṣṭhaṃ madhyaṃ tadardhataḥ

Translation

Es soll in ein Gefäß aus Gold, Silber, Kupfer, Bambus oder Ton gelegt werden. Nach dem Daumenmaß ist vierundsechzig das Beste; das Mittlere ist die Hälfte davon, und das Niedere wiederum die Hälfte (des Mittleren).

Word by Word

• सौवर्णे: in a golden (vessel)
• सौवर्णे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in/on golden [vessel])

• राजते: shines/is (in) silver
• राजते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; ‘राजते’ = shines/is silver? (contextually: in silver)

• ताम्रे: in copper (vessel)
• ताम्रे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in copper)

• वैणवे: in a bamboo (container)
• वैणवे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in bamboo-made)

• मृन्मये: in an earthen (pot)
• मृन्मये: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृन्मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण (in earthen)

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस्/स्य (धातु: न्यस्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘न्यसेत्’ = should place/deposit

• अङ्गुष्ठेन: with the thumb
• अङ्गुष्ठेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करण (by/with the thumb)

• चतुःषष्टिः: sixty-four
• चतुःषष्टिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुः (प्रातिपदिक) + षष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक-समाहार (64)

• श्रेष्ठम्: best/superior
• श्रेष्ठम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; गुणवाचक

• मध्यम्: middling/medium
• मध्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; गुणवाचक

• तदर्धतः: by half of that
• तदर्धतः: Sambandha (Measure/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित-अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त), ‘तदर्धतः’ = तस्य अर्धतः (by half of that)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by correct receptacle (pātra) and measure (parimāṇa), reflecting discipline and attentiveness.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa precision as training for one-pointedness (ekāgratā) and sattva.

Application: Use clean, appropriate vessels (metal/bamboo/clay) and follow traditional measures; when uncertain, adopt the ‘middle’ standard and consult lineage practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual preparation area (near altar/household shrine)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43.9-12 (context: thread materials and sanctification)

FAQs

What is the importance of vessel material (gold, silver, copper, bamboo, clay) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates that the purity and suitability of a ritual act is supported by the proper container; it permits multiple acceptable materials, from precious metals to simple clay, aligning the rite with one’s capacity while preserving correctness.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana instructions on rites connected with death rituals?

In the Ācāra-focused section, Viṣṇu lays down practical standards—what type of vessel to use and how to measure—so offerings or ritual placements are done in a regulated way, which is foundational to later śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a consistent, respectful standard in religious observances: use clean, appropriate vessels available to you and keep measurements and procedure disciplined rather than arbitrary.