Shloka 62

Devanagari script

वेदव्रतं वामदेव्यं ज्येष्ठसाम रथन्तरम् / भेरुण्डानि च सामानि छन्दोगः पश्चिमे जपेत्

Transliteration

vedavrataṃ vāmadevyaṃ jyeṣṭhasāma rathantaram / bheruṇḍāni ca sāmāni chandogaḥ paścime japet

Translation

Facing the western quarter, the Chāndoga, singer of the Sāma hymns, should recite the Vedavrata, the Vāmadevya, the Jyeṣṭhasāman, the Rathantara, and also the Bheruṇḍa Sāman chants.

Word by Word

• वेदव्रतम्: the Veda-vow (name of a chant/rite)
• वेदव्रतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदव्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—वेदस्य व्रतम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• वामदेव्यम्: Vāmadevya (a Sāman/chant)
• वामदेव्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामदेव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ज्येष्ठसाम: the Jyeṣṭha-sāman
• ज्येष्ठसाम: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्येष्ठ + सामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—ज्येष्ठं साम (कर्मधारय)

• रथन्तरम्: Rathantara (a Sāman)
• रथन्तरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भेरुण्डानि: Bheruṇḍa (chants), plural
• भेरुण्डानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेरुण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सामानि: Sāmans (chants)
• सामानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• छन्दोगः: the Chāndoga (Sāma-chanter/priest)
• छन्दोगः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छन्दोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• पश्चिमे: in the west
• पश्चिमे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पश्चिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; दिशि/भागे (locative)

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual correctness through prescribed Vedic chant-sequences and directional discipline.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as purifier (citta-śuddhi) preparing for higher knowledge; order (ṛta) reflected in rite.

Application: In any saṃskāra/homa, maintain clear directional orientation and follow authorized chant order rather than improvisation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space orientation (dik)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (surrounding homa/saṃskāra procedure and dik-vidhi)

Characters & Entities

• Chandoga
• Samaveda (Saman chants)

FAQs

What is the importance of Sāman chants like Rathantara in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats specific Sāman hymns as prescribed ritual recitations, indicating that correct Vedic chanting is a protective and purificatory component of the rite.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing precise ritual sound (Sāman recitation) and directional placement, it reflects the Garuda Purana theme that proper rites support order, purification, and auspicious passage through transitional states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional rites, follow an authorized priestly tradition for correct mantra selection, pronunciation, and ritual orientation; more broadly, treat sacred practice with accuracy and discipline.