Shloka 40

Devatā-Pratiṣṭhā: Maṇḍapa Construction, Dikpāla Worship, Kalaśa-Abhiṣeka, Nyāsa and Homa Procedures

Devanagari script

मधुसर्पिः समायुक्तं कांस्ये वा ताम्रभाजने / अक्षिणी चाञ्जयेच्चास्य सुवर्णस्य शलाकया

Transliteration

madhusarpiḥ samāyuktaṃ kāṃsye vā tāmrabhājane / akṣiṇī cāñjayeccāsya suvarṇasya śalākayā

Translation

Mix honey with ghee in a bronze or copper vessel, and anoint his eyes with it using a golden probe.

Word by Word

• मधु: honey
• मधु: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; used as first member in compound

• सर्पिः: ghee
• सर्पिः: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्पिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; used with मधु as a pair

• समायुक्तम्: mixed/combined
• समायुक्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज्)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि-क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agreeing with implied मिश्रणम्/द्रव्यम्

• कांस्ये: in a bronze vessel
• कांस्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular

• वा: or
• वा: Samuccaya (Alternative/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• ताम्रभाजने: in a copper vessel
• ताम्रभाजने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्र-भाजन (प्रातिपदिक; ताम्र + भाजन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular

• अक्षिणी: the two eyes
• अक्षिणी: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्विवचन (प्रथमा/द्वितीया); here as object: द्वितीया-द्विवचन; Accusative dual

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अञ्जयेत्: should anoint/apply (collyrium)
• अञ्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अञ्ज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Optative, 3rd person singular

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• अस्य: of him/of the deity
• अस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular (of him/of it)

• सुवर्णस्य: of gold
• सुवर्णस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुवर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• शलाकया: with a probe/rod
• शलाकया: Karana (Instrument/साधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शलाका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotional consecration through careful, reverent service using auspicious substances.

Vedantic Theme: Upacāra (loving service) as a means to steady the mind in the presence of the divine; sanctifying the senses (indriya-śuddhi).

Application: Approach sacred duties with gentleness and precision; let actions embody reverence, not mere formality.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: pīṭha/maṇḍapa ritual area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (netrāñjana/eye-anointing sequence preceding netronmīlana)

FAQs

What is the importance of mixing honey and ghee in Garuda Purana rites?

This verse prescribes a specific ritual mixture (honey + ghee) used as a sanctifying application, indicating a codified method of preparation within the funeral/after-death observances.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it focuses on correct ritual handling of the body at the transitional stage, which in the Garuda Purana framework supports orderly passage and proper observance of dharma during the preta-related period.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If following tradition, perform rites under qualified guidance and with cleanliness and reverence; more broadly, it emphasizes disciplined, careful observance of duties during death-related ceremonies.