Shloka 49

Āhnika-Dharma: Dawn Purification, Sandhyā-Upāsanā, Tarpana, Pañca-Mahāyajñas, and Aśauca Rules

Devanagari script

अन्तर्जलमवाङ्मग्नो जपेत्त्रिरघमर्षणम् / द्रुपदां वाथ सावित्ररिं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्

Transliteration

antarjalamavāṅmagno japettriraghamarṣaṇam / drupadāṃ vātha sāvitrariṃ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam

Translation

Submerged in water, with the face turned downward, one should repeat the Aghamarṣaṇa three times. Or else one may recite the Drupadā or the Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī), and also the mantra beginning “tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam,” the supreme abode of Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• अन्तर्जलम्: into the water; within water
• अन्तर्जलम्: Adhikaraṇa (locative sense though accusative form used adverbially)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर् (अव्यय/उपसर्ग-प्रातिपदिक) + जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—अव्ययीभाव (अन्तर्जले = जलस्य अन्तः)

• अवाङ्मग्नः: submerged, facing downward
• अवाङ्मग्नः: Karta-viśeṣaṇa (qualifier of agent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवाङ् (अव्यय) + मग्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अवाङ्=अधोमुखः; अवाङ् सन् मग्नः)

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

• त्रिः: three times
• त्रिः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रिः (अव्यय)
• Form: संख्यावाचक-अव्यय (thrice)

• अघमर्षणम्: Aghamarṣaṇa hymn
• अघमर्षणम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघमर्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• द्रुपदाम्: Drupadā (mantra)
• द्रुपदाम्: Karma (alternative object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रुपद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (mantra-name), द्वितीया, एकवचन

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

• अथ: then
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then/now)

• सावित्रीम्: Sāvitrī (Gāyatrī)
• सावित्रीम्: Karma (alternative object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सावित्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; पाठे ‘सावित्ररिं’ इति भ्रष्ट, ‘सावित्रीम्’ अपेक्षितम्

• तत्: that
• तत्: Viśeṣaṇa (of padam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘पदम्’ इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (of padam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘पदम्’ इति विशेषणम्

• पदम्: state/abode/footstep (the ‘supreme padam’)
• पदम्: Karma (object of recitation, implied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purification (Aghamarṣaṇa) joined to Viṣṇu-smṛti directs the practitioner from mere cleansing toward contemplation of the supreme state (paramaṃ padam).

Vedantic Theme: From citta-śuddhi to parama-pada-dhyāna: ritual discipline supports remembrance of the highest reality symbolized by Viṣṇu’s supreme abode.

Application: During bath or ablution, recite Aghamarṣaṇa thrice with focused breath; conclude with ‘tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam’ as a brief meditation on the highest aim beyond worldly identity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha-like waters

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50 (snāna/mārjana and mantra options)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of Aghamarṣaṇa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Aghamarṣaṇa japa (recited three times while immersed) as a direct purificatory practice for removing sin/impurity and restoring ritual fitness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing purification through Vedic mantras, it implies that inner and outer cleansing supports dharmic living—considered foundational for a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a regular purification practice—bathing with mindful mantra recitation (Aghamarṣaṇa/Gāyatrī/Viṣṇu mantra)—as a disciplined way to cultivate sattva, ethical restraint, and spiritual focus.