Shloka 5

Māsopavāsa Vrata for Hari (From Āśvina Ekādaśī to Viṣṇu Utthāna): Saṅkalpa, Niyamas, and Pāraṇa

Devanagari script

हरिं यजोत्त्रिषवणस्नायी गन्धादिभिर्व्रती / गात्राभ्यङ्गं गन्धलेपं देवतायतने त्यजेत्

Transliteration

hariṃ yajottriṣavaṇasnāyī gandhādibhirvratī / gātrābhyaṅgaṃ gandhalepaṃ devatāyatane tyajet

Translation

A votary who worships Hari and bathes at the three sacred times of day, observing restraint regarding perfumes and the like, should refrain—within a deity’s temple—from oil-massage of the body and from applying fragrant unguents.

Word by Word

• हरिम्: Hari (Viṣṇu)
• हरिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• यजः: worship/sacrifice
• यजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — ‘यज्ञः/यजनम्’ अर्थे

• उत्त्रिषवणस्नायी: one who bathes at the three daily rites
• उत्त्रिषवणस्नायी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत् (उपसर्ग) + त्रि (संख्या) + सवण (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नायिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (त्रिषवण-स्नायी; ‘त्रिषवणेषु स्नायति’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — ‘व्रती’ इति विशेषण

• गन्धादिभिः: with perfumes and the like
• गन्धादिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (गन्ध-आदि), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — करण

• व्रती: the vow-observer
• व्रती: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रतिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• गात्राभ्यङ्गम्: oil-massage of the body
• गात्राभ्यङ्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (गात्रस्य अभ्यङ्गः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• गन्धलेपम्: application of perfume paste
• गन्धलेपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + लेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (गन्धस्य लेपः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• देवतायतने: in the temple/shrine
• देवतायतने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक) + आयतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (देवतायाः आयतनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• त्यजेत्: should avoid/abandon
• त्यजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred-space discipline: minimize sensuality and personal display during worship; prioritize purity and reverence.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint) supporting sattva and devotion.

Application: Maintain cleanliness (including regular bathing) and adopt modest, non-indulgent conduct in temples; avoid grooming that signals vanity during worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: temple/shrine

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.122.6 (completion with dvija-bhojana and pāraṇa)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Viṣṇu)
• Devatā (deity/temple context)

FAQs

What is the importance of restraint (vrata) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames vrata as disciplined worship of Hari marked by regulated daily bathing and avoidance of sensual indulgences (like perfumes), especially in sacred spaces such as temples.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes dharmic self-restraint and purity in worship—qualities repeatedly presented in Purāṇic teaching as supportive of spiritual merit (puṇya) and a more auspicious post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When observing a vow or entering a temple, prioritize simplicity and reverence: avoid body-oiling or heavy fragrances inside the temple and maintain cleanliness through regular bathing and mindful conduct.