Shloka 3

Sandhyā-Upāsanā Vidhi: Prāṇāyāma, Water Purification, Aghāmarpaṇa, Sūrya Worship, Nyāsa, and Gāyatrī Japa

Devanagari script

मनोवाक्रायजं दोषं प्राणायामैर्दहेद्द्विजः / तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु प्राणायामपरो भवेत्

Transliteration

manovākrāyajaṃ doṣaṃ prāṇāyāmairdaheddvijaḥ / tasmātsarveṣu kāleṣu prāṇāyāmaparo bhavet

Translation

A twice-born person should burn away, through prāṇāyāma, the faults born of mind, speech, and body. Therefore, at all times one should be devoted to the practice of prāṇāyāma.

Word by Word

• mano-vāk-kāya-jam: born of mind, speech, and body
• mano-vāk-kāya-jam: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक) + vāc (प्रातिपदिक) + kāya (प्रातिपदिक) + ja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (manovākkāyāt jātaḥ)

• doṣam: fault/sin
• doṣam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: doṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• prāṇāyāmaiḥ: by prāṇāyāmas
• prāṇāyāmaiḥ: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāṇāyāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• dahet: should burn away
• dahet: Kriyā (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dah (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• dvijaḥ: a twice-born (Brahmin etc.)
• dvijaḥ: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तस्मात्-रूपेण अव्ययीभाव (ablatival adverb), हेत्वर्थक

• sarveṣu: in all
• sarveṣu: Adhikaraṇa (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• kāleṣu: times
• kāleṣu: Adhikaraṇa (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• prāṇāyāma-paraḥ: devoted to prāṇāyāma
• prāṇāyāma-paraḥ: Karta (Subject complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāṇāyāma (प्रातिपदिक) + para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (prāṇāyāme paraḥ)

• bhavet: should be
• bhavet: Kriyā (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prāṇāyāma functions as expiatory purification, burning faults arising from mind, speech, and body; hence constant devotion to it.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kṣaya and antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi through disciplined practice; mastery of prāṇa supports mastery of mind.

Application: Adopt regular prāṇāyāma (within one’s capacity and tradition) as a daily corrective for reactive speech, impulsive action, and scattered thought.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.36.2 (definition of prāṇāyāma); Garuda Purana 1.36.1 (sin-destruction claim tied to Sandhyā)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija
• Prāṇāyāma

FAQs

What is the importance of prāṇāyāma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents prāṇāyāma as a direct purifier that destroys faults arising from mind, speech, and body, making it a continual discipline for spiritual cleanliness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing purification of mental, verbal, and physical impurities, it points to inner refinement as preparation for a righteous life and a better post-death journey, reducing the karmic burdens that obstruct the soul.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain regular breath-discipline and self-restraint: use prāṇāyāma to steady the mind, curb harmful speech, and reduce impulsive actions—supporting ethical living and consistent spiritual practice.