Shloka 112

Devanagari script

जप्तुकामः पवित्राणि अर्चिष्यन्देवतातिथीन् / स्नानं समाचरेद्यस्तु क्रियाङ्गं तच्च कीर्तितम्

Transliteration

japtukāmaḥ pavitrāṇi arciṣyandevatātithīn / snānaṃ samācaredyastu kriyāṅgaṃ tacca kīrtitam

Translation

One who wishes to perform japa, employ purifying substances, worship the deities, and honor guests should first undertake bathing; this bathing is declared an essential limb of the rite.

Word by Word

• जप्तुकामः: desirous of reciting (japa)
• जप्तुकामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जप्तु (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—“जप्तुं कामः” (desirous of reciting)

• पवित्राणि: purifying (items/acts)
• पवित्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• अर्चिष्यन्: worshipping
• अर्चिष्यन्: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी—“worshipping”

• देवता: deities
• देवता: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन (समासपूर्वपद/पूर्वपद)

• अतिथीन्: guests
• अतिथीन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• समाचरेत्: should perform
• समाचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक (relative pronoun)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha/Discourse (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थ

• क्रियाङ्गम्: a component of the rite
• क्रियाङ्गम्: Pradhana/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—“क्रियायाः अङ्गम्” (a limb/part of ritual)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Pradhana/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; निर्देश (demonstrative)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Discourse (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• कीर्तितम्: is declared
• कीर्तितम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि—“has been declared”

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śauca (purity) as an aṅga (essential limb) of ritual action; inner intention is supported by outer purification.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: purity of instruments (body-mind) supports sattva and steadiness for japa and worship.

Application: Before daily japa/puja and before honoring guests, bathe (or perform prescribed purification) as a deliberate preparatory step.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213.113-116 (snana purpose, places, fruits, alternatives)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Atithi (Guest)

FAQs

What is the importance of snāna (ritual bathing) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that bathing is a kriyāṅga—an indispensable component of religious acts—especially before japa, worship, and hosting guests.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on dharma?

It frames purity as practical dharma: bodily cleansing (snāna) supports correct performance of sacred duties like mantra-recitation, deity-worship, and atithi-satkara (honoring guests).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before prayer, mantra practice, or a formal puja, maintain cleanliness (at least a bath or thorough washing) and approach worship and guests with a purified, respectful mindset.