Shloka 11

Tithi-Vrata Vidhāna: Śikhī-vrata (Pratipadā), Tṛtīyā Devī/Śrīdhara rites, Gaṇeśa Caturthī Mantra-Nyāsa, and Nāga Pañcamī

Devanagari script

चतुर्थ्यां सितमाघादौ निराहारो व्रतान्वितः / दत्त्वा तिलांस्तु विप्राय स्वयं भुङ्क्ते तिलोदकम्

Transliteration

caturthyāṃ sitamāghādau nirāhāro vratānvitaḥ / dattvā tilāṃstu viprāya svayaṃ bhuṅkte tilodakam

Translation

On the fourth lunar day, beginning in the bright fortnight of Māgha, one should observe a vow while fasting; after giving sesame seeds to a brāhmaṇa, one should oneself partake only of sesame-water.

Word by Word

• caturthyām: on the fourth (tithi)
• caturthyām: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturthī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तिथिवाचक-शब्दः

• sita-māgha-ādau: at the beginning of bright Māgha (and so on)
• sita-māgha-ādau: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sita (प्रातिपदिक) + māgha (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (sitaḥ māghaḥ ādiḥ yasya—'in the bright Māgha etc.')

• nirāhāraḥ: fasting, without food
• nirāhāraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirāhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (कर्तरि)

• vrata-anvitaḥ: endowed with vows/observances
• vrata-anvitaḥ: Karta (Qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (प्रातिपदिक; √i + अनु उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (nirāhāraḥ)

• dattvā: having given
• dattvā: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (absolutive/gerund)

• tilān: sesame seeds
• tilān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• tu: indeed, then
• tu: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात-अव्ययम् (particle: emphasis/contrast)

• viprāya: to a brāhmaṇa
• viprāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, चतुर्थी-विभक्तिः (Dative/4th), एकवचनम्

• svayam: oneself
• svayam: Karta (Agent-emphasis/कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: कर्तृवाचक-अव्ययम् (reflexive adverb: 'oneself')

• bhuṅkte: eats/consumes
• bhuṅkte: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhuj (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्

• tila-udakam: water with sesame (sesame-water)
• tila-udakam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tila (प्रातिपदिक) + udaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (tilaiḥ yuktaṃ udakam)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Niyama (fasting), dāna (tila to brāhmaṇa), and regulated diet (tilodaka) together generate merit and ritual efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Tapas and self-restraint as citta-śuddhi; karma performed with discipline supports higher well-being.

Application: Observe periodic fasting with clear rules; pair austerity with charity; keep post-rite intake simple and intentional.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual observance setting (home/temple)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: vrata prescriptions by tithi; sesame (tila) as purificatory substance; brāhmaṇa-dāna as rite-support

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa
• Māgha
• Caturthī (tithi)

FAQs

What is the importance of sesame donation (tila-dāna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links a Māgha caturthī vow with gifting sesame to a brāhmaṇa, presenting tila-dāna as a purifying, merit-producing act that completes the vrata.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on karma and purification?

By prescribing fasting, vow-discipline, and charity, the verse emphasizes karma-shuddhi (purification through right action) as a practical method for reducing moral impurities and accruing puṇya.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe a simple fast or dietary restraint on caturthī, give charity (especially food or essentials) with humility, and keep the practice disciplined and sattvic—focusing on self-control and generosity.