Shloka 18

Āhnika-Dharma: Dawn Purification, Sandhyā-Upāsanā, Tarpana, Pañca-Mahāyajñas, and Aśauca Rules

Devanagari script

जप्त्वा जलाञ्जलिं दद्याद्भारस्करं प्रति तन्मनाः / प्राक्कूलेषु ततः स्थित्वा दर्भेषु सुसमाहितः

Transliteration

japtvā jalāñjaliṃ dadyādbhāraskaraṃ prati tanmanāḥ / prākkūleṣu tataḥ sthitvā darbheṣu susamāhitaḥ

Translation

Nachdem man das vorgeschriebene Mantra gejapt hat, soll man eine Handvoll Wasser als Opfergabe darbringen, den Geist auf die Sonne (Bhāskara) gerichtet. Dann stelle man sich an das östliche Ufer und setze sich auf Darbha-Gras, vollkommen gesammelt und konzentriert.

Word by Word

• जप्त्वा: having recited
• जप्त्वा: Kriya (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jap (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वक्रिया

• जल-अञ्जलिम्: a handful (añjali) of water
• जल-अञ्जलिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक) + añjali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (जलस्य अञ्जलिः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• दद्यात्: should offer/give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भास्करम्: the Sun
• भास्करम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāskara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रति: towards
• प्रति: Adhikarana/Direction (दिशा/सम्प्रदानार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prati (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, उपसर्गसदृश/पूर्वसर्ग, दिशावाचक (towards)

• तत्-मनाः: with mind fixed on that (Sun)
• तत्-मनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहिसमास (तस्मिन् मनः यस्य); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—(अध्याहृतः कर्ता)

• प्राक्: eastward
• प्राक्: Kriya-visheshana (दिशा)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prāk (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, दिशावाचक (eastward)

• कूलेषु: on the banks/shores
• कूलेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रमवाचक (then/thereafter)

• स्थित्वा: having stood
• स्थित्वा: Kriya (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वक्रिया

• दर्भेषु: on darbha grass
• दर्भेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• सु-समाहितः: well-collected, fully composed
• सु-समाहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + sam-ā-√dhā (धातु) → samāhita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण—(कर्तृ)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Arghya to the Sun with focused mind integrates outer offering with inner attention; posture and seat (darbha) support concentration.

Vedantic Theme: Kriyā leading to citta-ekāgratā; the visible Sun as pratīka for inner light (antaryāmin).

Application: After japa, offer water (arghya) mindfully to the Sun; then sit on darbha facing east, keeping spine steady and mind collected.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: riverbank/ghāṭa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.19 (prāṇāyāma and meditation follow this settling)

Characters & Entities

• Bhaskara (Surya)
• Darbha (kusha grass)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering jalāñjali (water in joined palms) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents jalāñjali as a mantra-supported, intention-focused offering—performed with attention to the Sun—serving as a purificatory and devotional act that steadies the mind before further rites.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana guidance on post-death rites?

It describes a disciplined ritual posture and orientation (eastern bank, darbha seat, concentrated mind), reflecting the text’s emphasis that correct method and mental focus support the efficacy of śrāddha-related observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing any prayer or ancestral rite, keep the mind single-pointed, maintain cleanliness, and use a simple, consistent ritual setup (a clean seat and calm posture) to cultivate steadiness and reverence.