Shloka 26

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

वेद एव द्विजातीनां निः श्रेयसकरः परः / मधुना पयसा चैव स देवांस्तर्पयेद्द्विजः

Transliteration

veda eva dvijātīnāṃ niḥ śreyasakaraḥ paraḥ / madhunā payasā caiva sa devāṃstarpayeddvijaḥ

Translation

Für die dvija ist allein der Veda die höchste Quelle des höchsten Heils. Darum soll der Zweimalgeborene die Devas mit Gaben von Honig und Milch zufriedenstellen.

Word by Word

• वेदः: the Veda
• वेदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन

• एव: alone/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात

• द्विजातीनाम्: of the twice-born
• द्विजातीनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि + जाति (प्रातिपदिक); द्विजाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (of the twice-born)

• निःश्रेयसकरः: bestowing ultimate good
• निःश्रेयसकरः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निःश्रेयस + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘वेदः’ (निःश्रेयसं करोति इति)

• परः: supreme
• परः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘वेदः’ (supreme)

• मधुना: with honey
• मधुना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; करण (instrument)

• पयसा: with milk
• पयसा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; करण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Linker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; अन्वादेश (he)

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), बहुवचन; कर्म (object)

• तर्पयेत्: should satisfy/propitiate
• तर्पयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तृप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense ‘तर्पय-’ (to satisfy)

• द्विजः: a twice-born man
• द्विजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कर्ता (agent)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Veda as niḥśreyasa-kara (giver of the highest good) for dvijas; deva-tarpaṇa with madhu and payas as a supportive rite.

Vedantic Theme: Śruti-prāmāṇya (Veda as supreme authority) as the guiding light for dharma leading toward niḥśreyasa.

Application: Center study and life-choices on śāstra-guided values; maintain regular gratitude/propitiation practices with sattvic offerings.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring emphasis on śruti-smṛti authority and daily rites (nitya-karma) for purification (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Dvijas
• Veda

FAQs

What is the importance of the Veda for dvijas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the Veda alone is the supreme means for niḥśreyasa—spiritual highest good—for the twice-born, implying Vedic injunctions are the primary authority for their dharma and rites.

How does this verse relate to the path toward liberation (niḥśreyasa)?

It links liberation-oriented welfare to Vedic adherence and proper propitiatory rites: honoring the Devas through prescribed offerings supports dharmic order and inner purification aligned with the Veda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow authentic scriptural guidance in daily conduct and worship; if performing Vedic-style rites, offer simple, sattvic substances (like milk and honey where appropriate) with reverence and ethical living.