Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

सन्ध्यागर्जितनिर्घातभूकम्पोल्कानिपातने / समाप्य वेदं द्युनिशमारण्यकमधीत्य च

Transliteration

sandhyāgarjitanirghātabhūkampolkānipātane / samāpya vedaṃ dyuniśamāraṇyakamadhītya ca

Translation

At twilight (sandhyā), amid thunderous roaring, violent claps, earthquakes, and the fall of meteors—having completed the Veda, one should also study the Āraṇyaka by day and by night.

Word by Word

• सन्ध्या: twilight
• सन्ध्या: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• गर्जित: thunder/roaring
• गर्जित: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गर्जित (कृदन्त; √गर्ज् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• निर्घात: lightning/thunderclap
• निर्घात: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्घात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• भूकम्प: earthquake
• भूकम्प: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू + कम्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग); तत्पुरुष (भूमेः कम्पः)

• उल्का: meteor/fireball
• उल्का: Sambandha (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उल्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (समासाङ्ग)

• निपातने: at the occurrence/fall (of meteors etc.)
• निपातने: Adhikaraṇa (Time/Occasion/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निपातन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; पूर्वपदानि समाहारार्थे (सन्ध्या-गर्जित-निर्घात-भूकम्प-उल्का-निपातन)

• समाप्य: having completed
• समाप्य: Kriya (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम् + आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): having finished/completed

• वेदम्: the Veda
• वेदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• द्युनिशम्: day and night / continually
• द्युनिशम्: Sambandha (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्यु + निशम् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय; द्वन्द्व-समास (द्युः + निशम्) = day and night, ‘continually’

• आरण्यकम्: the Āraṇyaka (text)
• आरण्यकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आरण्यक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अधीत्य: having studied
• अधीत्य: Kriya (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अधि + इ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): having studied/recited

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: During twilight and ominous disturbances (thunderous roars, lightning-like claps, earthquakes, meteors), regulate study; after completing Veda, undertake Āraṇyaka study by day and night (as prescribed).

Vedantic Theme: Transition from outward ritual speech to inward contemplative scripture (Āraṇyaka) as maturity of svādhyāya.

Application: Treat liminal/unstable times as requiring heightened care: follow anadhyāya restrictions for Veda recitation; keep a disciplined schedule for contemplative study when appropriate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: āśrama/forest-edge study place (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (anadhyāya causes: sandhyā, utpāta)

FAQs

What is the importance of studying the Āraṇyaka in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Āraṇyaka-study as a disciplined continuation of Vedic learning—meant to be pursued steadily (day and night), even when nature appears ominous at twilight.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings beyond afterlife topics?

It shows the text also preserves dharma-śāstra style instructions—linking ritual time (sandhyā) and extraordinary natural signs with proper conduct in Vedic recitation and study.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain regular spiritual study and practice with time-discipline (especially at transition times like dawn/dusk), without being shaken by external disturbances or fearful signs.