Shloka 22

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas (Great Sins), Vows, Tīrtha, and Sin-Destroying Observances

Devanagari script

तपो जपस्तीर्थसेवा देवब्राह्मणपूजनम् / ग्रहणादिषु कालेषु महापातकनाशनम्

Transliteration

tapo japastīrthasevā devabrāhmaṇapūjanam / grahaṇādiṣu kāleṣu mahāpātakanāśanam

Translation

Austerity, mantra-recitation, service at sacred tīrthas, and worship of the gods and Brahmins—when performed at times such as eclipses and other holy occasions—become destroyers even of the gravest sins.

Word by Word

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karta (Topic/कर्ता-तुल्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समाहार-उद्देश्य (listed item)

• जपः: recitation (japa)
• जपः: Karta (Topic/कर्ता-तुल्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समुच्चित पद (co-listed)

• तीर्थसेवा: service/attendance at sacred places
• तीर्थसेवा: Karta (Topic/कर्ता-तुल्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ + सेवा (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘तीर्थस्य सेवा’

• देवब्राह्मणपूजनम्: worship of gods and Brahmins
• देवब्राह्मणपूजनम्: Karta (Topic/कर्ता-तुल्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + ब्राह्मण + पूजन (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘देवानां ब्राह्मणानां च पूजनम्’ (worship of gods and Brahmins)

• ग्रहणादिषु: during eclipses and the like
• ग्रहणादिषु: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रहण + आदि (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; ‘ग्रहणादिषु (कालेषु)’ = in times such as eclipses

• कालेषु: at times; on occasions
• कालेषु: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, बहुवचन; अधिकरण

• महापातकनाशनम्: destroyer of great sins
• महापातकनाशनम्: Kriya (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महापातक + नाशन (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate adjective) ‘महापातकस्य नाशनम्’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Meritorious disciplines—tapas, japa, tirtha-seva, deva-brahmana-puja—performed in potent times (eclipse etc.) destroy even mahapataka.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-shuddhi as preparation for jnana/bhakti; sacred time (kala) and sacred field (kshetra) magnify samskara and inner purification.

Application: Use eclipse/holy days for japa, dana, seva, and respectful support of learned/virtuous persons; keep intention (sankalpa) and restraint (niyama) central.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring motif of papa-nashana through japa, dana, tirtha, and Vishnu-bhakti; Garuda Purana: praise of brahmana-puja and deva-archana as purifiers

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmanas

FAQs

What is the importance of eclipse-time (grahaṇa-kāla) practices in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that austerity, japa, tīrtha-sevā, and honoring devas and Brahmanas gain special purificatory power when done during eclipses and other sacred times, helping destroy even major sins (mahāpātaka).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in terms of karma?

It emphasizes that heavy karmic burdens (mahāpātaka) can be reduced through disciplined spiritual actions and proper observances, supporting purification that affects one’s post-death journey and outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use spiritually significant times (like eclipses) for sincere japa, charity/service, and respectful support of genuine religious learning and worship—treating them as focused periods for ethical correction and inner purification.