Shloka 45

Saṅkara-jāti-nirṇaya and Gṛhastha-ācāra: Daily Rites, Purity, Anadhyāya, and Food Discipline

Devanagari script

अध्यायानामुपाकर्म श्रावण्यां श्रवणेन वा / हस्तेनौषधिभावे वा पञ्चम्यां श्रावणस्य च

Transliteration

adhyāyānāmupākarma śrāvaṇyāṃ śravaṇena vā / hastenauṣadhibhāve vā pañcamyāṃ śrāvaṇasya ca

Translation

The rite commencing Vedic study (Upākarman) should be performed on the Śrāvaṇī day, or at the time of the Śravaṇa nakṣatra; alternatively, when Hasta prevails, or on the fifth lunar day (pañcamī) of the month of Śrāvaṇa.

Word by Word

• अध्यायानाम्: of lessons/chapters (Vedic lessons)
• अध्यायानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• उपाकर्म: the Upākarma rite (beginning of Vedic study)
• उपाकर्म: Karma/Viṣaya (Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपाकर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन (contextually: as an occasion/act)

• श्रावण्याम्: on (the day of) Śrāvaṇī (nakṣatra)
• श्रावण्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रावणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• श्रवणेन: by (the nakṣatra) Śravaṇa
• श्रवणेन: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (disjunctive particle: ‘or’)

• हस्तेन: by (the nakṣatra) Hasta
• हस्तेन: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• औषधिभावे: at the ‘state/occasion of herbs’ (auspicious time called Auṣadhi-bhāva)
• औषधिभावे: Adhikaraṇa (Time/Occasion/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औषधि + भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (औषधीनां भावः)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (disjunctive particle: ‘or’)

• पञ्चम्याम्: on the fifth (lunar day)
• पञ्चम्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• श्रावणस्य: of (the month) Śrāvaṇa
• श्रावणस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रावण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction: ‘and/also’)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kāla-niyama for upākarma: Vedic study begins only at ritually sanctioned times (Śrāvaṇī/Śravaṇa/Hasta/Śrāvaṇa pañcamī).

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra and śuddhi as supports for svādhyāya; order (ṛta) expressed as ritual time.

Application: If the primary Śrāvaṇī day is missed, choose the permitted alternatives (Śravaṇa nakṣatra, Hasta, or Śrāvaṇa pañcamī) and perform upākarma per one’s śākhā-gṛhya rules.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (svādhyāya-niyama, upākarma/utsarga context)

Characters & Entities

• Śrāvaṇī
• Śravaṇa (Nakṣatra)
• Hasta (Nakṣatra)
• Upākarma

FAQs

What is the importance of Upākarma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Upākarma as a dharmic calendrical duty—an authorized time-bound renewal for commencing Vedic study, ensuring the practice is aligned with sacred time markers.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct observance of dharma (right timing and rite), it supports the broader Purāṇic theme that disciplined conduct and ritual order contribute to merit (puṇya) and spiritual well-being.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one follows traditional practice, schedule Upākarma within the stated windows (Śrāvaṇī/Śravaṇa/Hasta or Śrāvaṇa pañcamī) and treat learning as a disciplined, annually renewed commitment.