Shloka 23

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

स्त्रीजनश्चाग्रतो गच्छेत् पृष्ठतो नवसञ्चयः / आचमनं विधातव्यं पाषाणोपरि संस्थितैः

Transliteration

strījanaścāgrato gacchet pṛṣṭhato navasañcayaḥ / ācamanaṃ vidhātavyaṃ pāṣāṇopari saṃsthitaiḥ

Translation

Die Frauen sollen vorausgehen, und die neu versammelte Gruppe soll hinten bleiben. Während man auf einem Stein steht, soll man ordnungsgemäß Ācamana (rituelle Reinigung durch Schlucke Wasser) vollziehen.

Word by Word

• स्त्रीजनः: womenfolk
• स्त्रीजनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री + जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (स्त्रियाः जनः)

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

• अग्रतः: in front
• अग्रतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

• गच्छेत्: should go
• गच्छेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• पृष्ठतः: behind
• पृष्ठतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृष्ठतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्थानवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

• नवसञ्चयः: a new accumulation/collection
• नवसञ्चयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नव + सञ्चय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (नवः सञ्चयः)

• आचमनम्: sipping (ritual rinsing)
• आचमनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचमन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन

• विधातव्यम्: should be performed
• विधातव्यम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + धा (धातु) → विधातव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/obligative); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि प्रयोगः (to be done)

• पाषाणोपरी: upon a stone
• पाषाणोपरी: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पाषाण + उपरि (प्रातिपदिक + अव्यय)
• Form: उपरि (अव्यय) सह समासवत् प्रयोगः; स्थानवाचक (on a stone)

• संस्थितैः: by those who are standing/placed
• संस्थितैः: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + स्था (धातु) → संस्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त (past participle); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śauca/śrāddha procedural transitions (before offerings/recitation)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śauca and niyama: external order supports internal purification during rites.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra-śuddhi (fitness through purity) as a prerequisite for higher rites and remembrance.

Application: Maintain prescribed procession order; perform ācamana with steadiness (standing on a clean, firm base) to mark ritual transitions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: threshold/liminal ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Śrāddha sections): śauca, ācamana, procession rules around antyeṣṭi and śrāddha contexts

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of ācamana (ritual sipping) in Garuda Purana funeral-related conduct?

This verse treats ācamana as a required act of purification; it marks ritual readiness and maintains śauca (cleanliness) during rites connected with death and transition.

How does this verse relate to the disciplined conduct expected during post-death rites?

It specifies orderly movement (who goes ahead and who stays behind) and prescribes a concrete purity action—performing ācamana while standing on a stone—showing that even small procedural details are part of dharmic observance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain decorum and cleanliness during rituals: follow the family/priest’s instructions on procession order and perform basic purification practices (like ācamana or washing) with attention and respect.