Shloka 31

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

धूपयित्वा पवित्रं तु मन्त्रेणैवाभिमन्त्रयेत् / प्रजप्तग्रन्थिकं चैव पूजयेत्कुसुमादिभिः

Transliteration

dhūpayitvā pavitraṃ tu mantreṇaivābhimantrayet / prajaptagranthikaṃ caiva pūjayetkusumādibhiḥ

Translation

Having fumigated and purified the pavitra, one should consecrate it with that very mantra; and one should also worship the mantra-knotted cord, over which the japa has been duly performed, with flowers and other offerings.

Word by Word

• धूपयित्वा: having offered incense to
• धूपयित्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धूप् (धातु; णिच् causative)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund), पूर्वक्रिया — having fumigated/incensed

• पवित्रम्: the pavitra (sacred thread/amulet)
• पवित्रम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• मन्त्रेण: with a mantra
• मन्त्रेण: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — instrumental singular

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphasis)

• अभिमन्त्रयेत्: should consecrate (by reciting mantra)
• अभिमन्त्रयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन — should consecrate by mantra

• प्रजप्त: well-recited
• प्रजप्त: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र- जप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (Past passive participle/कृत्-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘well-recited’ (qualifier)

• ग्रन्थिकम्: the knotted (pavitra)/knot-work
• ग्रन्थिकम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रन्थिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction: and)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphasis)

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन — should worship

• कुसुमादिभिः: with flowers and the like
• कुसुमादिभिः: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — instrumental plural; ‘flowers etc.’

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Samskara of objects: purification by fragrance/smoke and empowerment by mantra-japa; outer rite mirrors inner refinement.

Vedantic Theme: Upasana as a means to chitta-shuddhi; mantra as shabda-brahman support within ritual devotion.

Application: Fumigate the pavitraka, consecrate it with the appropriate mantra, and worship the japa-knotted cord with flowers and offerings.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (altar before deity)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43.29-30 (adhivasa, jagarana, Keśava-puja); Garuda Purana 1.43.32-33 (Gayatri-arcana, dana, dharana, papa-kshaya)

FAQs

What is the importance of consecrating a pavitra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that a pavitra (sacred thread/amulet) becomes ritually effective through purification (dhūpana) and mantra-consecration (abhimantrana), not merely by wearing it.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that correct rites and mantra-based sanctification uphold dharma and aid spiritual protection, which is repeatedly connected to well-being in life and auspicious post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing a traditional observance, keep the focus on cleanliness, intentional mantra-recitation, and respectful offering—treating sacred items as empowered through disciplined practice rather than as mere symbols.