Shloka 2

Devanagari script

ऋत्विग्भिः सह चाचार्यं वरयेन्मध्यदेशगम् / स्वशाखोक्तविधानेन अथ वा प्रणवेन तु

Transliteration

ṛtvigbhiḥ saha cācāryaṃ varayenmadhyadeśagam / svaśākhoktavidhānena atha vā praṇavena tu

Translation

Together with the officiating priests (ṛtviks), one should choose an ācārya (preceptor) from Madhyadeśa, either by the rite taught in one’s own Vedic śākhā or else by invoking the sacred syllable Oṃ (praṇava).

Word by Word

• ऋत्विग्भिः: with the priests (ṛtviks)
• ऋत्विग्भिः: Sahakāraka (Accompaniment/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋत्विज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/सह), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• सह: together with
• सह: Sambandha (Association marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्गसदृश/सहार्थक निपात (with)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• आचार्यम्: the teacher (ācārya)
• आचार्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• वरयेत्: should choose
• वरयेत्: Kriyā (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should choose/select

• मध्यदेशगम्: dwelling in the middle region (Madhyadeśa)
• मध्यदेशगम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मध्यदेश + ग (गम् धातु-प्रत्ययान्त, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘मध्यदेशे गच्छति/स्थितः’ इति; Accusative singular qualifying आचार्यम्

• स्वशाखोक्तविधानेन: according to the procedure taught in one’s own Vedic school
• स्वशाखोक्तविधानेन: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + शाखा + उक्त + विधान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; ‘स्वशाखया उक्तं विधानम्’ इति; Instrumental singular (by/according to the procedure stated in one’s own śākhā)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/आरम्भबोधक (then/now)

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• प्रणवेन: by (uttering) the praṇava (Oṃ)
• प्रणवेन: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रणव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (Emphasis/contrast marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषणार्थक निपात (but/indeed)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Authority in ritual arises from proper lineage (śākhā) and sanctifying invocation (praṇava) under a qualified ācārya.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda-pramāṇa and guru-paramparā as supports for right action (pravṛtti) leading to inner purification (citta-śuddhi).

Application: Choose a competent teacher/officiant grounded in one’s tradition; follow one’s śākhā-vidhi, and begin rites with Oṃ to unify intention and sanctify the act.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: region

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (context: temple/mandapa/vedi preparations and upacāras)

Characters & Entities

• Ṛtvij (officiating priests)
• Ācārya
• Praṇava (Oṃ)
• Madhyadeśa
• Vedic Śākhā

FAQs

What is the importance of choosing an ācārya and ṛtviks in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that correct ritual leadership—an ācārya supported by ṛtviks—should be appointed so rites are performed according to one’s Vedic tradition, ensuring dharmic correctness of the ceremonies.

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

By emphasizing proper Vedic procedure (śākhā-vidhi) and sacred invocation (praṇava), it implies that orderly rites support the intended post-death transition and the religious aims of the ceremonies connected with the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When conducting major saṃskāras—especially funeral and śrāddha rites—consult qualified priests and follow your family’s śākhā-based tradition; if details are uncertain, keep the practice anchored in reverent, scripturally grounded invocation such as Oṃ.