Shloka 6

Ruci and the Pitṛs: On Marriage, Debts (Ṛṇa), and Desireless Karma

Devanagari script

स्वाहोच्चारणतो देवान्स्वधोच्चारणतः पितन् / विभजत्यन्नदानेन भृत्याद्यानतिथीनपि

Transliteration

svāhoccāraṇato devānsvadhoccāraṇataḥ pitan / vibhajatyannadānena bhṛtyādyānatithīnapi

Translation

By uttering “svāhā” one apportions offerings to the Devas; by uttering “svadhā” to the Pitṛs. And through the gift of food, one also properly shares with dependents and with guests.

Word by Word

• स्वाहोच्चारणतः: by uttering 'svāhā'
• स्वाहोच्चारणतः: Karana (Means/करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वाहा + उच्चारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb 'from/by means of'); समासः—तत्पुरुष (स्वाहायाः उच्चारणम्)

• देवान्: the gods
• देवान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• स्वधोच्चारणतः: by uttering 'svadhā'
• स्वधोच्चारणतः: Karana (Means/करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वधा + उच्चारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त; समासः—तत्पुरुष (स्वधायाः उच्चारणम्)

• पितॄन्: the ancestors
• पितॄन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• विभजति: apportions, distributes
• विभजति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विभज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्गः—वि

• अन्नदानेन: by giving food
• अन्नदानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (अन्नस्य दानम्)

• भृत्याद्यान्: servants and others
• भृत्याद्यान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (भृत्याः आदयः ये)

• अतिथीन्: guests
• अतिथीन्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Addition/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अप्यर्थ (also/even)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Daily/regular gṛhastha offerings (implied)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra and intention allocate offerings: svāhā for devas, svadhā for pitṛs; anna-dāna completes dharma by including dependents and guests—yajña becomes social nourishment.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as consecrated action: speech (mantra) and giving (dāna) purify the doer; the ‘many’ are served without ego, aligning action with a larger order (ṛta/dharma).

Application: Keep a disciplined practice of gratitude and giving: set aside food/resources for elders/ancestors (remembrance/rites), for guests, and for those dependent on you; treat sharing as sacred.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-domestic space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śrāddha/tarpaṇa instructions where ‘svadhā’ is central; dharma passages praising anna-dāna and atithi-sevā (contextual).

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Pitṛs

FAQs

What is the importance of svāhā and svadhā in Garuḍa Purāṇa rituals?

This verse distinguishes their ritual function: “svāhā” directs offerings to the Devas, while “svadhā” directs offerings to the Pitṛs (ancestors), ensuring the intended recipients in śrāddha and related rites.

How does this verse connect offerings to Devas and Pitṛs with daily dharma?

It links mantra-based offerings with ethical distribution: annadāna is not only ritual merit but also a duty to share food with dependents and guests, extending sacred giving into social conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain clarity of intention in worship and remembrance rites, and practice annadāna—feed guests and support those dependent on you—as a living expression of dharma.