Shloka 19

Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna

Devanagari script

सव्ययज्ञोपवीतेन ब्रह्माद्यास्तृप्तिमान्पुयुः / अपसव्येन तृप्यन्ति पितरो दिविदेवताः

Transliteration

savyayajñopavītena brahmādyāstṛptimānpuyuḥ / apasavyena tṛpyanti pitaro dividevatāḥ

Translation

Wird das Yajñopavīta (heilige Schnur) in der sāvya-Weise über der linken Schulter getragen, sind Brahmā und die übrigen Götter zufrieden. Wird es in der apasāvya-Weise über der rechten Schulter getragen, sind die Pitṛs und die mit ihnen verbundenen Himmelsgottheiten zufrieden.

Word by Word

• savya-yajñopavītena: with the sacred thread in the savya position
• savya-yajñopavītena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: savya (प्रातिपदिक) + yajñopavīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (savya-yajñopavīta = sacred thread worn over left shoulder) (Instrumental singular)

• brahmādyāḥ: Brahmā and the others (gods)
• brahmādyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (brahmā-ādi = Brahmā and others) (Masculine nominative plural)

• tṛptimān: satisfied (possessing satisfaction)
• tṛptimān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛpti (प्रातिपदिक) + matup (मत्वर्थ प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; मत्वर्थ (possessive adjective: ‘having satisfaction’)

• puyuḥ: may be satisfied/propitiated (lit. may become pure)
• puyuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pū (पू, धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद (Optative, 3rd pl.; ‘may become purified/propitious’)

• apasavyena: with the apasavya position (thread reversed)
• apasavyena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apasavya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन (Instrumental singular)

• tṛpyanti: are satisfied
• tṛpyanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tṛp (तृप्, धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद (Present, 3rd pl.)

• pitaraḥ: ancestors
• pitaraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pitṛ (पितृ, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (Masculine nominative plural)

• divi-devatāḥ: the heavenly deities
• divi-devatāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: divi (दिव्, प्रातिपदिक/सप्तमी-रूप) + devatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (divi-devatā = deities in heaven) (Feminine nominative plural)

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śrāddha/tarpaṇa when switching between deva and pitṛ portions

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual orientation (savyopavīta/apasavya) determines the addressee—devas or pitṛs—and thus the rite’s efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as disciplined action; intention must be embodied in correct form (ākāra) to bear proper fruit.

Application: During deva-tarpaṇa/homa keep yajñopavīta in savya; during pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha wear it apasavya; train attention to transitions within rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (śrāddha/tarpaṇa altar)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha prayoga passages distinguishing deva and pitṛ procedures; Garuda Purana notes on apasavya in pitṛ-kārya

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Devas
• Pitris
• Yajnopavita

FAQs

What is the importance of savya and apasavya in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse states that the manner of wearing the yajñopavīta determines whom the offering is directed to: savya pleases Brahmā and the Devas, while apasavya is used to satisfy the Pitṛs in ancestral rites.

How does this verse relate to Śrāddha and offerings to ancestors?

It gives a procedural marker for Śrāddha/tarpaṇa contexts: apasavya (reverse wearing) signifies that the act is meant for Pitṛs, aligning the ritual intention with the correct recipients.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing Deva-kārya (worship for gods) use savya; when performing Pitṛ-kārya (Śrāddha/tarpaṇa for ancestors) use apasavya, following one’s family tradition and guidance of a qualified priest.