Shloka 135

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

स्वामिपुष्करिणीस्नानं सा चकार धृतव्रता / तीर्थेष्वेतेषु सुस्नाता दानं चक्रे सुभामिनी

Transliteration

svāmipuṣkariṇīsnānaṃ sā cakāra dhṛtavratā / tīrtheṣveteṣu susnātā dānaṃ cakre subhāminī

Translation

Standhaft in ihren Gelübden badete sie im heiligen Teich namens Svāmī-puṣkariṇī. Nachdem sie sich an diesen heiligen Furten wohl gereinigt hatte, vollbrachte die strahlende Frau sodann Gaben der Wohltätigkeit.

Word by Word

• स्वामि-पुष्करिणी-स्नानम्: bathing in Svāmi-puṣkariṇī
• स्वामि-पुष्करिणी-स्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वामिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्करिणी (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (स्वामिपुष्करिण्याः स्नानम्)

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; pronoun

• चकार: did/performed
• चकार: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• धृत-व्रता: one who has undertaken a vow
• धृत-व्रता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृत (धृ धातु + क्त, कृदन्त) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (‘धृतं व्रतं यस्याः सा’) qualifying ‘सा’

• तीर्थेषु: in sacred places
• तीर्थेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन

• एतेषु: in these
• एतेषु: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; demonstrative qualifying ‘तीर्थेषु’

• सु-स्नाता: having bathed well
• सु-स्नाता: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्ना (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त) → स्नात (प्रातिपदिक) with सु-
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘well-bathed’ qualifying subject

• दानम्: gift/charity
• दानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• चक्रे: made/did
• चक्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• सु-भामिनी: the very lovely woman
• सु-भामिनी: Karta (कर्ता) (apposition to ‘सा’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + भामिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (‘सु’ as qualifier)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vrata + tīrtha-snāna + dāna forms a purificatory sequence: inner resolve expressed through outer sacred action.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (purification of mind) through disciplined action; karma becomes a vehicle for devotion and clarity.

Application: Pair spiritual observance with tangible generosity; after pilgrimages/retreats, translate uplift into service and giving.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: pushkariṇī and multiple tīrthas

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: tīrtha-snāna praised as purifier when joined with dāna; Garuda Purana: vrata narratives where women/seekers attain merit through disciplined observance

Characters & Entities

• Svāmī-puṣkariṇī
• Tīrthas

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrtha-snān (bathing at holy places) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents tīrtha-bathing as a disciplined, vow-supported act that prepares one for dharmic living and the accrual of merit, especially when followed by dāna (charity).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

By emphasizing vrata, tīrtha-snān, and dāna, the verse points to merit-building actions that are traditionally understood to support auspicious post-death outcomes and reduce obstructive karmic burdens.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice disciplined observances (vrata), purifying routines (snāna as a symbol of inner cleanliness), and consistent charity (dāna), especially connected to sacred occasions and ethical intent.