Shloka 18

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

षट्त्रिं(ड्विं) शच्च चतुर्विशद्द्वादश ग्रन्थयो ऽथवा / उत्तमादिषु विज्ञेयाः पर्वभिर्वा पवित्रकम्

Transliteration

ṣaṭtriṃ(ḍviṃ) śacca caturviśaddvādaśa granthayo 'thavā / uttamādiṣu vijñeyāḥ parvabhirvā pavitrakam

Translation

The Pavitraka is said to consist of texts numbering thirty-six (or thirty-two), or again one hundred, or twenty-four, or twelve. It is to be understood according to the ‘Uttama’ and other classifications, or else by its divisions (parvans/sections).

Word by Word

• षट्त्रिंशत्: thirty-six (or, variant: twenty-six)
• षट्त्रिंशत्: Karma/Pramana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षट् (संख्या) + त्रिंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (त्रिंशत्-शब्द), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; संख्याशब्द; (पाठभेद: षड्विंशत्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• चतुर्विंशत्: twenty-four
• चतुर्विंशत्: Karma/Pramana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर् (संख्या) + विंशत् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (विंशत्-शब्द), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; संख्याशब्द

• द्वादश: twelve
• द्वादश: Karma/Pramana (Measure/प्रमाण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वा (संख्या) + दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सामान्यतः) नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; संख्याशब्द

• ग्रन्थयः: knots
• ग्रन्थयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रन्थि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• अथवा: or
• अथवा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• उत्तमादिषु: among the best and the others (types)
• उत्तमादिषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (उत्तमः आदिः येषां तेषु = in the best etc. types)

• विज्ञेयाः: should be known
• विज्ञेयाः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/future passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय (to be known)

• पर्वभिः: by joints/segments
• पर्वभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• पवित्रकम्: the pavitraka (sacred thread/amulet)
• पवित्रकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Legitimate ritual variants exist; interpret counts through established classifications (uttama etc.) or sectional structure (parvan).

Vedantic Theme: Smṛti accommodates deśa-kāla-pātra variation while safeguarding intent (tātparya) and order (niyama).

Application: If different authorities give different counts (36/32/100/24/12), reconcile by mapping to uttama–madhyama–kanistha categories or by dividing into parvans; follow the lineage/manual used in your rite.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43 (pavitraka counts and classification scheme; resolves vikalpa by reference to grades/sections)

FAQs

What is the importance of Pavitraka in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Pavitraka as a structured purificatory corpus/observance whose authority depends on recognized enumerations and classifications, indicating a formal method for organizing purification practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing purification frameworks, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that orderly rites and disciplined observances are part of dharma that benefits one’s spiritual trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a consistent, well-defined purification and dharmic routine (as taught by a trusted tradition/text), rather than mixing practices arbitrarily—clarity of method is itself part of discipline.