Shloka 53

Devanagari script

दिग्दाहे पांसुवर्षेषु सन्ध्यानी हारभीतिषु / धावतः पूतिगन्धे च शिष्टे च गृहमागते

Transliteration

digdāhe pāṃsuvarṣeṣu sandhyānī hārabhītiṣu / dhāvataḥ pūtigandhe ca śiṣṭe ca gṛhamāgate

Translation

When the quarters seem to blaze, when dust rains down, when fear arises at sandhyā—the junction of day and night—when one runs about and foul odors arise, and when a stranger or an ominous visitor comes to the house—

Word by Word

• दिक्-दाहे: during a directional conflagration (fire in the quarters)
• दिक्-दाहे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक) + दाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—दिशां दाहः (conflagration in the quarters)

• पांसु-वर्षेषु: during dust-storms
• पांसु-वर्षेषु: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पांसु (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—पांसोः वर्षम् (dust-rain/dust-storm)

• सन्ध्यानी: at twilight
• सन्ध्यानी: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; वैदिक/पौराणिक-प्रयोगे ‘सन्ध्यानी’ = सन्ध्याकाले (at twilight)

• हार-भीतिषु: in fears about one’s necklace/ornaments
• हार-भीतिषु: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हार (प्रातिपदिक) + भीति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—हारस्य भीतिः (fear of losing necklace/garland; fear regarding ornaments)

• धावतः: of (one) running
• धावतः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धाव् (धातु) → धावत् (कृदन्त/शतृ)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकाले कृदन्तम्; पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; ‘धावतः’ = धावन् (of one who is running)

• पूति-गन्धे: in a foul smell
• पूति-गन्धे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूति (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—पूतिः गन्धः (foul smell)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• शिष्टे: in the presence of a respectable person
• शिष्टे: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्ट (कृदन्त; शास् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘शिष्ट’ = सज्जन/विनीत (a respectable person)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• गृहम्: home
• गृहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• आगते: when (someone) has arrived
• आगते: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ + गम् (धातु) → आगत (कृदन्त/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘आगते’ = आगतसमये/आगते (when (someone) has come)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Inauspicious omens and liminal times disrupt ritual concentration and purity; one should suspend study/rites until normalcy returns.

Vedantic Theme: Guarding the mind from rajas/tamas disturbances; aligning practice with conducive kāla and mental steadiness.

Application: If the environment feels ominous or chaotic (dust storms, foul smells, panic, twilight anxiety, unexpected visitors), pause sacred study and re-establish calm and cleanliness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic space under ominous conditions

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.96 anadhyāya list (portents and interruptions)

FAQs

What is the importance of these omens in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists inauspicious portents—environmental and psychological disturbances—used in the Garuda Purana context as warning signs to turn the mind toward dharma, prayer, and spiritual preparedness.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

By highlighting pre-death disturbances, the text frames death as a transition with recognizable signals, encouraging timely rites, remembrance of Vishnu, and ethical composure before the soul departs.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat fear, chaos, and inauspicious household disturbances as prompts to stabilize conduct—practice japa/prayer, reduce harm, reconcile conflicts, and follow dharmic routines rather than panic.