Shloka 5

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

अन्तर्जानुः शुचौ देश उपविष्ट उदङ्मुखः / प्राग्वा ब्राह्मेण तीर्थेन द्विजो नित्यमुपस्पृशेत्

Transliteration

antarjānuḥ śucau deśa upaviṣṭa udaṅmukhaḥ / prāgvā brāhmeṇa tīrthena dvijo nityamupaspṛśet

Translation

A twice-born man should daily perform ācamana, seated in a clean place with knees drawn up, facing north—or else east—taking the water by the Brahma-tīrtha, the hand-position prescribed for Brahmanic rites.

Word by Word

• अन्तर्जानुः: with knees drawn in (sitting with knees tucked)
• अन्तर्जानुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर् + जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘जानु’ (knee) के भीतर/अन्तर स्थित (with knees drawn in)

• शुचौ: in a pure (place)
• शुचौ: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषण

• देशे: in a place
• देशे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• उपविष्टः: seated
• उपविष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप + √विश् (विश् धातु) → उपविष्ट (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत—‘seated’

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north
• उदङ्मुखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण—उत्तराभिमुख (facing north)

• प्राक्: eastward / facing east
• प्राक्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्राक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; दिक्-अव्यय (directional adverb)

• वा: or
• वा: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात (particle of option)

• ब्राह्मेण: with the brahma (type of)
• ब्राह्मेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण—ब्राह्म-सम्बन्धि (Brahma-related)

• तीर्थेन: with (that) tīrtha / sacred water-touch
• तीर्थेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• द्विजः: a twice-born (Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya)
• द्विजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always / daily
• नित्यम्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण; नित्य-शब्दस्य अव्ययप्रयोग (adverbial accusative)

• उपस्पृशेत्: should perform ācamana / should touch water (ritually)
• उपस्पृशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + √स्पृश् (स्पृश् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya-śauca and ācamana as daily purification with correct posture, direction, and brahma-tīrtha hand-position.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a prerequisite for japa, upāsanā, and higher knowledge.

Application: Establish a consistent daily purification routine: sit in a clean place, face north/east, and perform ācamana with proper hand formation (brahma-tīrtha) before worship, study, or meals.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual seat/household sacred space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.94.6-9 (tīrtha-points, method, water quality, gradations, ancillary purifiers)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija
• Brahma-tirtha

FAQs

What is the importance of ācamana (upasparśa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents ācamana as a daily act of ritual purification, to be done with correct posture, cleanliness, and prescribed hand-position (Brahma-tīrtha), indicating that outer discipline supports dharmic conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing daily purity and right conduct (ācāra), it frames dharma as foundational preparation for higher spiritual outcomes; the Garuda Purana repeatedly links disciplined living with favorable post-death results.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent daily purity practice (physical cleanliness and mindful routine); if following tradition, perform ācamana in a clean spot facing east or north with proper method, cultivating steadiness and reverence in daily life.