Shloka 54

Devanagari script

अन्यैः सौरैर्वैदिकैश्च गायत्त्रीं च ततो जपेत् / मन्त्रांश्च विविधान्पश्चात्प्राक्कूले च कशासने

Transliteration

anyaiḥ saurairvaidikaiśca gāyattrīṃ ca tato japet / mantrāṃśca vividhānpaścātprākkūle ca kaśāsane

Translation

Then one should repeat the Gāyatrī, along with other solar and Vedic mantras. Thereafter, one should recite various additional mantras, seated upon a kuśa-grass seat with its tip oriented toward the east.

Word by Word

• अन्यैः: with other
• अन्यैः: Karaṇa (Means/with)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘सौरैः/वैदिकैः’ इति विशेषण

• सौरैः: with solar (Sūrya-related) [mantras]
• सौरैः: Karaṇa (Means/with)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• वैदिकैः: with Vedic [mantras]
• वैदिकैः: Karaṇa (Means/with)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैदिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘मन्त्रैः’ (understood) इति विशेषण

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

• गायत्रीम्: the Gāyatrī
• गायत्रीम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

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

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (thereafter/then)

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (Injunctive main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• मन्त्रान्: mantras
• मन्त्रान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

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

• विविधान्: various
• विविधान्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘मन्त्रान्’ इति विशेषण

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (afterwards)

• प्राक्कूले: on the eastern bank
• प्राक्कूले: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राक् + कूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः: प्राच्यं कूलम् (eastern bank)

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

• कशासने: on a kuśa-grass seat
• कशासने: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कश + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः: कशानां आसनम् (seat of kuśa grass)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right sequence (krama) and right supports (āsana, direction) stabilize mind for mantra-japa; disciplined action becomes a vehicle for inner steadiness.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi: precise, non-negligent performance reduces rajas/tamas and supports contemplation.

Application: Keep a fixed place/time for japa; sit on a clean mat (traditional kuśa or modern equivalent), face east in the morning, and follow a consistent mantra order.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual seat (kuśāsana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50 (Sandhyā: Gāyatrī-japa plus sūrya/vaidika mantras; āsana/dik-niyama)

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Vedic Mantras
• Gayatri

FAQs

What is the importance of Gāyatrī-japa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse places Gāyatrī-japa at the core of daily mantra practice, presenting it as a primary recitation to be performed alongside other Vedic and solar mantras for disciplined purification and dharmic routine.

Why does the verse mention sitting on a kuśa-āsana oriented to the east?

It indicates a formal Vedic posture for japa: using a kuśa seat and aligning it eastward (prāk) to maintain ritual correctness, steadiness, and auspicious orientation during mantra recitation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent daily japa routine: begin with Gāyatrī (if initiated/appropriate), add a small set of Vedic prayers, and sit in a clean, stable seat facing east to cultivate focus and reverence.