Shloka 3

Graha-yajña-vidhi

Procedure for the Planetary Sacrifice

Devanagari script

ताम्रकात्स्फाटिकाद्रक्तचन्दनात्स्वर्णकादुभौ / रजतादयसः सीसात्कांस्याद्वर्णान्निबोधत

Transliteration

tāmrakātsphāṭikādraktacandanātsvarṇakādubhau / rajatādayasaḥ sīsātkāṃsyādvarṇānnibodhata

Translation

Know the various color-types (or complexions) derived from copper, crystal (sphāṭika), red sandalwood, and gold; likewise from silver, iron, lead, and bronze—understand these classifications.

Word by Word

• tāmrakāt: from copper
• tāmrakāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tāmraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन

• sphāṭikāt: from crystal
• sphāṭikāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sphāṭika (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• rakta: red
• rakta: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, समासस्थ-पूर्वपद

• candanāt: from red sandalwood
• candanāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: candana (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समास: रक्त-चन्दनात् (कर्मधारय: ‘from red sandalwood’)

• svarṇakāt: from gold
• svarṇakāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svarṇaka (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ubhau: both (two)
• ubhau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubha (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• rajatāt: from silver
• rajatāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajata (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ayasaḥ: from iron
• ayasaḥ: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayas (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• sīsāt: from lead
• sīsāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sīsa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• kāṃsyāt: from bell-metal/bronze
• kāṃsyāt: Apādāna (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāṃsya (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• varṇān: colors
• varṇān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṇa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• nibodhata: understand/learn
• nibodhata: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni + budh (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy is supported by correct dravya (materials) and their prescribed qualities (varna/color-type).

Vedantic Theme: Sattva through order and purity: external exactness as a training for inner attentiveness (upasana discipline).

Application: When performing graha-yajna or related puja, choose prescribed metals/substances and maintain consistency in ritual items (vessels, images, offerings).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual workshop / yajna preparation area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.101.4 (explicit color sequence); Garuda Purana 1.101.1-2 (graha-yajna and navagraha context)

FAQs

What is the importance of classifying colours/material-attributes in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames a traditional scheme for recognizing types (varṇa) associated with specific metals and sacred substances, useful for choosing and evaluating ritual items and their qualities.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes like death rituals or the soul’s journey?

While not directly describing the afterlife, it reflects the Purana’s broader concern with correct knowledge of ritual substances and classifications that support proper observances in dharmic practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to be intentional about the materials used in worship and rites—selecting traditional substances thoughtfully rather than treating ritual objects as interchangeable.