Shloka 44

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चगव्यं स्नापयेच्च सहदेव्यादि भिस्ततः / सहदेवी बला चैव शतमूली शतावरी

Transliteration

pañcagavyaṃ snāpayecca sahadevyādi bhistataḥ / sahadevī balā caiva śatamūlī śatāvarī

Translation

One should bathe first with pañcagavya; thereafter one should bathe with herbs beginning with sahadevī—namely sahadevī, balā, śatamūlī, and śatāvarī.

Word by Word

• पञ्चगव्यम्: pañcagavya (mixture of five cow-products)
• पञ्चगव्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + गव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (पञ्चानां गव्यानां समाहारः); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्नापयेत्: should bathe (someone)/cause to bathe
• स्नापयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्ना (धातु)
• Form: णिच्-प्रत्ययान्त (causative) धातु; विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• च: and
• च: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सहदेव्यादिभिः: with sahadevī and the like (herbs)
• सहदेव्यादिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहदेवी (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सहदेवी-आदि); तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तरार्थक (thereafter)

• सहदेवी: Sahadevī (herb)
• सहदेवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहदेवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (औषधिनाम)

• बला: Balā (herb)
• बला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (औषधिनाम)

• च: and
• च: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: also/indeed
• एव: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• शतमूली: Śatamūlī (herb)
• शतमूली: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + मूली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (शत-मूलि); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (औषधिनाम)

• शतावरी: Śatāvarī (asparagus)
• शतावरी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + वरी/वारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (औषधिनाम)

Speaker

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

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śauca through layered saṃskāra: first remove ritual impurity (pañcagavya), then stabilize vitality with oṣadhi-snāna.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-śuddhi as a preparatory condition for higher pursuits; body as an instrument (karaṇa) to be maintained without attachment.

Application: Adopt a two-step approach: cleanse (remove contaminants) then nourish (restore); in modern terms, hygiene followed by recuperative care.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual bath space; herb-grove

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (snāna with pañcagavya and oṣadhi sequence)

FAQs

What is the importance of pañcagavya in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse presents pañcagavya as a primary medium of ritual purification, used as a cleansing bath before proceeding to herb-based sanctifying applications.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes ritual purity and correct observance, which the Garuda Purana treats as supportive disciplines in death-related rites and dharmic order surrounding the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow purification practices with care and tradition—when performing family rites, consult a qualified priest/vaidya for appropriate, safe substitutes and correct procedure.