Shloka 47

Devanagari script

सावित्रीं वा जपे द्विद्वांस्तथा चैवाघमर्षणम् / ततः संमार्जनं कुर्यादापोहिष्ठामयोभुवः

Transliteration

sāvitrīṃ vā jape dvidvāṃstathā caivāghamarṣaṇam / tataḥ saṃmārjanaṃ kuryādāpohiṣṭhāmayobhuvaḥ

Translation

A learned dvija should recite the Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī) and also the Aghamarṣaṇa, the hymn that removes sin. Thereafter he should perform purification by sprinkling/cleansing, reciting the water-mantras “Āpo hi ṣṭhā…” and “A mayo bhuvaḥ”.

Word by Word

• सावित्रीम्: the Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī) mantra
• सावित्रीम्: Karma (object of recitation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सावित्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (option)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriyā (injunction)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• द्विद्वान्: the knower; learned person
• द्विद्वान्: Karta (agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विद्वस्/द्विद्वान् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणवत् ‘ज्ञानी/विद्वान्’ अर्थे

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb ‘thus/likewise’)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction ‘and’)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avadhāraṇa
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• अघमर्षणम्: the Aghamarṣaṇa (sin-dispelling) hymn/mantra
• अघमर्षणम्: Karma (object of recitation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघमर्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (ablatival adverb ‘thereafter/from that’)

• संमार्जनम्: sprinkling/cleansing (rite)
• संमार्जनम्: Karma (object of ‘do’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संमार्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (injunction)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• आपः: O waters / the waters
• आपः: Karta (of implied ‘are’) / mantra-address
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• हिष्ठा: most wholesome
• हिष्ठा: Viśeṣaṇa (of आपः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हिष्ठा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; वैदिक रूप (superlative ‘most beneficial’)

• अमयोभुवः: health-giving; disease-dispelling
• अमयोभुवः: Viśeṣaṇa (of आपः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमय (प्रातिपदिक) + भू (धातु-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अमयस्य भुवः = disease-removing/health-giving)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purification of mind and conduct through Vedic recitation and consecrated water; sin-removal via Aghamarṣaṇa.

Vedantic Theme: Śuddhi as a prerequisite for upāsanā and jñāna: external cleansing supports internal sattva and remembrance of the Self/Īśvara.

Application: Perform daily sandhyā sequence: Gāyatrī-japa, Aghamarṣaṇa, then mārjana/ācamana with water-mantras, emphasizing attention and correct pronunciation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: waterside/ritual area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50 (mārjana and mantra-vidhi continuation)

FAQs

What is the importance of Savitri (Gayatri) and Aghamarshana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents them as core purificatory recitations for a dvija—Sāvitrī for sanctifying the mind and Aghamarṣaṇa specifically for removing pāpa (sin/impurity) before further rites.

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

Indirectly, it emphasizes ritual and inner purification as a dharmic foundation—purity of conduct and rite is treated as supportive for auspicious outcomes, including post-death transitions described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a disciplined purification routine—regular mantra-japa, repentance/atonement practices, and mindful cleansing—before prayer, śrāddha-related duties, or any sacred observance.