Shloka 8

Gāyatrī-Kalpa: Sandhyā-Japa, Devī-Namaskāra, and Homa for Dharma, Kāma, and Moksha

Devanagari script

यथा लक्षं तु जप्तव्यं पयोमूलफलार्शनैः / अयुतद्वयहोमेन सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

yathā lakṣaṃ tu japtavyaṃ payomūlaphalārśanaiḥ / ayutadvayahomena sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt

Translation

In the prescribed manner, one should complete a lakh (100,000) japa, sustaining oneself on milk, roots, and fruits; and by performing a fire-offering (homa) of twenty thousand oblations, one attains the fulfillment of all desired aims.

Word by Word

• यथा: as, in the manner that
• यथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपमान/प्रकारवाचक (comparative/manner adverb)

• लक्षम्: a lakh (100,000)
• लक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• तु: but, indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), अवधान/विरोधसूचक

• जप्तव्यम्: should be recited
• जप्तव्यम्: Vidhi (Obligation/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jap (जप् धातु) + tavya (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligative); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (to be done)

• पयः-मूल-फल-आर्शनैः: with milk, roots, fruits, and ārśana (a medicinal item)
• पयः-मूल-फल-आर्शनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: payas (प्रातिपदिक) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + phala (प्रातिपदिक) + ārśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: द्वन्द्व (copulative) ‘पयः च मूलं च फलं च आर्शनं च’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• अयुत-द्वय-होमेन: by an offering of twenty thousand oblations
• अयुत-द्वय-होमेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ayuta (प्रातिपदिक) + dvaya (प्रातिपदिक) + homa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘अयुतद्वयस्य होमः’ (=20,000 oblations); पुल्लिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• सर्व-कामान्: all desires
• सर्व-कामान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कर्मधारय ‘सर्वे कामाः’; पुल्लिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन

• अवाप्नुयात्: may obtain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava + √āp (आप् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-japa with dietary restraint and homa as a means to accomplish desired ends (kāmya-sādhana).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa efficacy under niyama; disciplined action as a purifier and instrument for results (phala).

Application: Undertake a structured sādhanā: fixed-count japa (lakṣa), regulated diet (milk/roots/fruits), and a proportional homa (20,000) with consistency and purity of conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (kāmya-japa/homa and vrata sections around 1.37–1.38)

FAQs

What is the importance of one-lakh (lakṣa) japa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents lakṣa-japa as a complete, count-based sādhana that becomes effective when done in the prescribed manner and supported by disciplined observances.

Why does the verse pair japa with a specific homa count (ayuta-dvaya)?

It indicates a traditional completion method: japa is strengthened and ‘sealed’ through a defined number of fire-offerings, making the practice a full ritual cycle rather than recitation alone.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt the principle of disciplined practice—clear targets, purity of lifestyle, and a consistent routine—whether doing mantra-japa, prayer, or any spiritual vow.