Shloka 18

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

ताम्बूलपुष्पश्रीखण्डैः संयुक्तः शुचिवस्त्रभृत् / धर्ममादाय मनसि सुतल्पं संविशेत् पुमान्

Transliteration

tāmbūlapuṣpaśrīkhaṇḍaiḥ saṃyuktaḥ śucivastrabhṛt / dharmamādāya manasi sutalpaṃ saṃviśet pumān

Translation

Der Mann, geschmückt mit Betel, Blumen und duftender Sandelholzpaste, in reinen Gewändern, soll sich auf ein gutes Lager legen und das Dharma fest im Geist bewahren.

Word by Word

• ताम्बूलपुष्पश्रीखण्डैः: with betel, flowers, and sandalwood
• ताम्बूलपुष्पश्रीखण्डैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रीखण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/साधन), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (समाहार)

• संयुक्तः: joined/associated
• संयुक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-युज् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• शुचिवस्त्रभृत्: wearing clean clothes
• शुचिवस्त्रभृत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक) + वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + भृ (धातु)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय-तत्पुरुषभावः: शुचि-वस्त्रं भर्ता); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; -भृत् (धात्वर्थक-प्रातिपदिक)

• धर्मम्: dharma/righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• आदाय: having taken/placing (in mind)
• आदाय: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-दा (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त्वा (ल्यप्) अव्यय; पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having taken)

• मनसि: in the mind
• मनसि: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• सुतल्पम्: a good bed
• सुतल्पम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + तल्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—कर्मधारय (सु-तल्पः = उत्तमः तल्पः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• संविशेत्: should lie down/enter
• संविशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-विश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पुमान्: a man
• पुमान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुमांस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External purity and auspicious conduct should culminate in internal dharma-smriti; even rest is to be governed by ethical mindfulness.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-shuddhi as a support for steadiness of mind (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi) and right intention (saṅkalpa).

Application: Maintain cleanliness, moderation, and a dharmic intention before sleep; use bedtime as a daily checkpoint for conduct and vows.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Geographic Context

Type: domestic space (griha; shayana-griha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha/ācāra sections emphasizing śauca, vastra-śuddhi, and manasa-dharma (general internal echo)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of ritual purity and clean clothing in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links external purity (clean dress, auspicious fragrance) with inner purity (holding dharma in mind), presenting both as supportive disciplines for righteous living and rite-readiness.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey and after-death teachings in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda’s ethical-ritual framework, disciplined conduct and dharmic mindfulness are presented as foundations that shape one’s karmic trajectory, which later influences post-death experiences described elsewhere in the text.

What is a practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain cleanliness, choose uplifting surroundings, and consciously reaffirm ethical intent (dharma) before rest—treating daily routines as training for steadiness, restraint, and spiritual clarity.