Shloka 5

Pūjā-Anukrama: Bīja-Śuddhi, Nyāsa, Homa, Vyūha-Nyāsa, and Dvārakā Cakra Rakṣā

Devanagari script

होमकर्णणि चैतेषां स्वाहान्तमुपकल्पयेत् / एवं जप्त्वा विधानेन शतमष्टोत्तरं तथा

Transliteration

homakarṇaṇi caiteṣāṃ svāhāntamupakalpayet / evaṃ japtvā vidhānena śatamaṣṭottaraṃ tathā

Translation

For these (mantras/offerings), one should prepare the oblations for the fire-rite, ending each with the exclamation “svāhā”. Thus, having recited according to the prescribed rule, one should do so a hundred and eight times as well.

Word by Word

• होमकर्णणि: in the ears of the homa (i.e., at the homa rite/into the fire as heard/recited)
• होमकर्णणि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम-कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः: होमस्य कर्णे/कर्णेषु (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); (पाठे 'कर्णणि' = 'कर्णेषु/कर्णेष्विति' अर्थे वैदिक/प्राकृत-रूपसदृश)

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

• एतेषाम्: of these
• एतेषाम्: Shashthi-sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• स्वाहा-अन्तम्: (a formula) ending with “svāhā”
• स्वाहा-अन्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वाहा-अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः: स्वाहा अन्तः यस्य/यत् (तत्पुरुष; 'ending with svāhā')

• उपकल्पयेत्: one should prepare/arrange
• उपकल्पयेत्: Kriya
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-कल्प् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb)

• जप्त्वा: having recited
• जप्त्वा: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-कृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive)

• विधानेन: according to the prescribed method
• विधानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• शतम्: a hundred
• शतम्: Karma/Parimana (Measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन (संख्यावाचक)

• अष्टोत्तरम्: plus eight (i.e., 108)
• अष्टोत्तरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्ट-उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः: अष्ट अधिकम् (तत्पुरुष; 'eight more')

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: likewise/also)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct offering formula (svāhā) and disciplined repetition (108) according to vidhi.

Vedantic Theme: Karma purified by niyama supports citta-śuddhi, preparing for bhakti/jñāna.

Application: When performing homa/japa, keep exact procedure and count; use a mālā for 108 repetitions and maintain attentiveness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ritual sections prescribing homa and japa counts (contextual)

FAQs

What is the importance of ending mantras with “svāhā” in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates that oblations in homa are to be formally offered by sealing the mantra with “svāhā,” marking it as an offering into fire according to ritual rule.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana guidance on rites connected to death and dharma?

It reflects the text’s prescriptive style: correct performance (vidhi) of mantra-recitation and fire-offering is emphasized as part of dharmic observance, often applied in śrāddha-related and protective rites in the broader tradition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing a traditional homa or japa, follow a competent tradition/teacher for the correct vidhi, and maintain discipline in count (commonly 108) and clarity of offering-formulae like “svāhā.”