Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चदश्यां चतुर्दश्यामष्टम्यां राहुसूतके / ऋतुसन्धिषु भुक्त्वा वा श्राद्धिकं प्रतिगृह्य च

Transliteration

pañcadaśyāṃ caturdaśyāmaṣṭamyāṃ rāhusūtake / ṛtusandhiṣu bhuktvā vā śrāddhikaṃ pratigṛhya ca

Translation

On the fifteenth (full-moon) day, the fourteenth day, the eighth day, during Rāhu’s sūtaka (the impurity period of an eclipse), and at the junctions of the seasons—having eaten, or having accepted offerings meant for śrāddha—one incurs ritual fault/impurity according to the stated rule.

Word by Word

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

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

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

• राहुसूतके: during an eclipse-impurity (Rāhu-sūtaka)
• राहुसूतके: Adhikaraṇa (Time/Occasion/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राहु + सूतक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (राहोः सूतकं)

• ऋतुसन्धिषु: at the junctions of seasons
• ऋतुसन्धिषु: Adhikaraṇa (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋतु + सन्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (ऋतूनां सन्धयः)

• भुक्त्वा: having eaten
• भुक्त्वा: Kriya (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भुज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): having eaten

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

• श्राद्धिकम्: (food/thing) connected with śrāddha
• श्राद्धिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्राद्धिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रतिगृह्य: having accepted/received
• प्रतिगृह्य: Kriya (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति + ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): having accepted/received

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

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instructing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Sensitive times: caturdaśī, aṣṭamī, pañcadaśī; Rāhu-sūtaka (eclipse); ṛtu-sandhi

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain tithis (caturdaśī, aṣṭamī, pañcadaśī), eclipse periods, and seasonal junctions are sensitive; eating or accepting śrāddhika offerings then entails impurity/fault per rule (implying anadhyāya/ācāra restrictions).

Vedantic Theme: Outer purity disciplines support inner steadiness; honoring pitṛ-related boundaries maintains social-ritual order.

Application: Avoid Vedic recitation and be cautious with food/acceptance during listed times; if one must accept śrāddha-related items, follow prescribed purification and timing rules.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 (anadhyāya and purity constraints; śrāddhika context)

Characters & Entities

• Rahu

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding certain days for śrāddha-related eating or acceptance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists specific times (tithis, eclipse sūtaka, and ṛtu-sandhi) treated as ritually sensitive, where eating or accepting śrāddha-related items is considered improper according to the observance rules being taught.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on death rituals?

Śrāddha is central to ancestral rites; the verse emphasizes correct timing and purity-constraints so that offerings and their acceptance support dharma rather than becoming ritually defective.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When planning śrāddha or related observances, avoid eclipse sūtaka periods and other traditionally restricted times, and follow local śāstra-based guidance from a qualified priest for precise calendrical decisions.