Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

सोमवारे चतुर्थ्यां च समुपोष्यार्चयेद्गणम् / जपञ्जुह्वत्स्मरन्विद्या स्वर्गं निर्वाणतां व्रजेत्

Transliteration

somavāre caturthyāṃ ca samupoṣyārcayedgaṇam / japañjuhvatsmaranvidyā svargaṃ nirvāṇatāṃ vrajet

Translation

On a Monday and on the fourth lunar day (Caturthī), observing a complete fast, one should worship Gaṇa (Gaṇeśa). By recitation, fire-offerings, and contemplation of sacred knowledge, one attains heaven and moves toward liberation (nirvāṇa).

Word by Word

• सोमवारे: on Monday
• सोमवारे: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमवार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; वारनाम

• चतुर्थ्याम्: on the fourth (tithi)
• चतुर्थ्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्थी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

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

• समुपोष्य: having fasted
• समुपोष्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + उप + वस्/उपवस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘सम्यक् उपोष्य’ (having fasted)

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• गणम्: Gaṇa (Gaṇeśa)
• गणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• जपन्: chanting
• जपन्: Karta (Agent as participle/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; परस्मैपदी; क्रियाविशेषणवत्

• जुह्वत्: offering (into fire)
• जुह्वत्: Karta (Agent as participle/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘जुह्वत्’ (offering oblations)

• स्मरन्: remembering/meditating
• स्मरन्: Karta (Agent as participle/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विद्या: the mantra/vidyā
• विद्या: Karma (Object of japa/smaraṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (पाठभेदे ‘विद्या’ मन्त्र/विद्या-शब्दः)

• स्वर्गम्: heaven
• स्वर्गम्: Karma (Goal/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• निर्वाणताम्: the state of liberation (nirvāṇa)
• निर्वाणताम्: Karma (Goal/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्वाणता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; भाववाचक

• व्रजेत्: should go/attain
• व्रजेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Integrated sādhanā: fasting (tapas), worship (bhakti), mantra (japa), sacrifice (homa), and contemplation of vidyā together propel the aspirant from svarga-oriented merit toward liberation.

Vedantic Theme: Gradation of goals: from karma-phala (svarga) to niḥśreyasa (nirvāṇa); purification of antaḥkaraṇa through tapas and upāsanā supports jñāna.

Application: Adopt periodic fasting with mantra-japa and reflective study/meditation; treat ritual as a ladder from self-discipline to inner freedom.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual hearth (homa-kuṇḍa) and shrine

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.129.19 (Caturthī worship); Garuda Purana 1.129.21–22 (offerings, mantra)

Characters & Entities

• Gaṇa (Gaṇeśa)
• Svarga
• Nirvāṇa

FAQs

What is the importance of fasting on Monday and Caturthī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Monday and the Caturthī tithi as auspicious occasions for disciplined fasting and worship of Gaṇa, said to yield heavenly merit and support progress toward liberation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul toward higher states?

It links outward ritual (fasting, worship, oblations) with inner practice (japa and remembrance of vidyā), indicating that combined discipline generates merit (svarga) and also refines consciousness toward nirvāṇa.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

On Mondays or Caturthī, observe a measured fast as appropriate, perform Gaṇeśa worship, add mantra recitation and a simple offering (or symbolic homa), and keep the day oriented toward remembrance and ethical restraint.