Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

अथोपतिष्ठेदादित्यमूर्ध्वपुष्पान्विताञ्जलिम् / प्रक्षिप्यालोकयेद्देवमुदयन्तं न शक्यते

Transliteration

athopatiṣṭhedādityamūrdhvapuṣpānvitāñjalim / prakṣipyālokayeddevamudayantaṃ na śakyate

Translation

Dann soll man ehrfürchtig vor Āditya (der Sonne) stehen, die Hände im Añjali gefaltet und Blumen nach oben erhoben. Nachdem man sie dargebracht hat, schaue man auf die aufsteigende Gottheit; doch soll man nicht versuchen, sie beim Aufgang direkt anzublicken.

Word by Word

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

• उपतिष्ठेत्: should stand near / attend upon
• उपतिष्ठेत्: Kriya (Injunctive main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-स्था (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• आदित्यम्: the Sun (Āditya)
• आदित्यम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• ऊर्ध्वपुष्पान्विताञ्जलिम्: with joined palms bearing flowers raised upward
• ऊर्ध्वपुष्पान्विताञ्जलिम्: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Manner/qualification of the worshipper)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व + पुष्प + अन्वित + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः: ऊर्ध्वपुष्पैः अन्वितः अञ्जलिः यस्य (hands joined with flowers held up)

• प्रक्षिप्य: having cast/placed
• प्रक्षिप्य: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-क्षिप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; अर्थे: ‘प्रक्षिप्त्वा/निक्षिप्य’

• आलोकयेत्: should look at
• आलोकयेत्: Kriya (Injunctive main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-लोक् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• देवम्: the deity
• देवम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• उदयन्तम्: rising
• उदयन्तम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-इ (धातु) + शतृ (प्रत्यय)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle active), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘देवम्’ इति विशेषण

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• शक्यते: is possible
• शक्यते: Kriya (Predicate: possibility)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शक् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive/impersonal)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Reverence to Āditya with proper gesture and offering, coupled with restraint—recognizing limits and following ritual/physical propriety.

Vedantic Theme: Tejas as manifestation of Īśvara’s vibhūti; disciplined senses (indriya-nigraha) even in worship.

Application: Offer arghya/flowers with añjali; avoid harmful direct gaze at the rising sun—practice respectful darśana with moderation (or through indirect focus).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: riverbank/terrace/courtyard (prāg-mukha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50 (Sandhyā-vidhi sequence: upasthāna to Āditya after ācamana)

Characters & Entities

• Aditya
• Deva (Sun as deity)

FAQs

What is the importance of Sun (Āditya) worship in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a dharmic method of reverence—standing respectfully with añjali and offering flowers—showing Sun-worship as a daily discipline of purity and devotion.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s teachings on the soul’s path?

By prescribing disciplined daily worship and restraint, it supports the broader Garuda Purana ethic that righteous conduct and correct observances strengthen one’s spiritual trajectory beyond death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin the day with a brief, respectful morning prayer to the Sun (añjali and offering), and avoid staring directly at the rising sun—practice devotion along with bodily care and restraint.