Shloka 10

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing/Offering the Pavitra Sacred Thread

Devanagari script

रञ्जयेत्कुङ्कुमाद्यैस्तु कुर्याद्रन्धैः पवित्रकम् / सप्तम्यां वा त्रयोदश्यां शुक्लपक्षे तथेतरे

Transliteration

rañjayetkuṅkumādyaistu kuryādrandhaiḥ pavitrakam / saptamyāṃ vā trayodaśyāṃ śuklapakṣe tathetare

Translation

One should dye it with kuṅkuma (saffron) and the like, and fashion the pavitraka—sacred thread or amulet—with knots. This is to be done on the seventh or the thirteenth lunar day, in the bright fortnight, and likewise in the other fortnight.

Word by Word

• rañjayet: should color/dye
• rañjayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: rañj (रञ्ज् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; causative sense not marked here; 'should dye/color'

• kuṅkuma-ādyaiḥ: with saffron and the like
• kuṅkuma-ādyaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṅkuma + ādi (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (समूहद्रव्य), तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (kuṅkuma-ādi = saffron etc.)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषणार्थक-निपात (emphatic/contrastive particle)

• kuryāt: should make
• kuryāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; 'should make/do'

• randhaiḥ: with perforations/with (threaded) holes (reading-dependent)
• randhaiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: randha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; (अर्थ: छिद्र/रन्ध्र-सम्बद्ध द्रव्य/सूत्र/ग्रन्थि—पाठभेदसम्भव)

• pavitrakam: a purifier/amulet (pavitraka)
• pavitrakam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pavitraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्म (object)

• saptamyām: on the seventh (lunar day)
• saptamyām: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण-काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saptamī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तिथिनाम

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पबोधक-अव्यय (or)

• trayodaśyām: on the thirteenth (lunar day)
• trayodaśyām: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण-काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: trayodaśī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तिथिनाम

• śukla-pakṣe: in the bright fortnight
• śukla-pakṣe: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण-काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śukla + pakṣa (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (śukla-pakṣa = bright fortnight)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (in like manner)

• itare: in the other (fortnight)
• itare: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण-काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: itara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (पाठानुसार; 'in the other [fortnight]' = कृष्णपक्षे); स्थान/कालवाचक

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kāla (sacred time) and saṃskāra (consecration) enhance efficacy of protective rites.

Vedantic Theme: Karma performed with niyama (rule) and śraddhā becomes a purifier of mind (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: Prepare the pavitraka with clean materials, knotting carefully; choose prescribed lunar days to reinforce intention and tradition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household shrine/temple work-area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.42.9 (invoked powers); Garuda Purana 1.42.11 (offering to liṅga and deities)

FAQs

What is the importance of making a pavitraka (pavitra thread) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents pavitraka as a purifier and auspicious aid, prepared with sacred knotting and consecrated substances (like saffron), indicating a dharmic method of ritual purification.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: it emphasizes ritual purity and correct observance of dharma, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links with favorable spiritual outcomes and reduced obstacles in post-death rites and merit (puṇya).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow disciplined, tradition-aligned timing and purity in religious observances—using clean materials, intentional preparation, and a sincere focus on purification rather than mere display.