Shloka 21

Dāna-vrata and the Tīrtha Circuit of Venkaṭādri

Snāna, Mantra, Naivedya

Devanagari script

पुनः परदिने प्रातः स्वामिपुष्करिणीजले / स्नानं कृत्वा महाभागा ययौ तुंबुरुसंज्ञिकाम्

Transliteration

punaḥ paradine prātaḥ svāmipuṣkariṇījale / snānaṃ kṛtvā mahābhāgā yayau tuṃburusaṃjñikām

Translation

Then, at dawn on the following day, the fortunate lady bathed in the waters of the Lord’s sacred pond and set out for the place known as Tumburu.

Word by Word

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• परदिने: on the next day
• परदिने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परदिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; कालाधिकरण (locative of time)

• प्रातः: in the morning
• प्रातः: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रातः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• स्वामि-पुष्करिणी-जले: in the water of the Lord’s tank
• स्वामि-पुष्करिणी-जले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वामि (प्रातिपदिक) + पुष्करिणी (प्रातिपदिक) + जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (स्वामिनः पुष्करिणी, तस्यां जलम्)

• स्नानम्: bath
• स्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया

• महाभागा: the fortunate lady
• महाभागा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन

• ययौ: went
• ययौ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तुंबुरु-संज्ञिकाम्: (to the place/lady) named Tumburu
• तुंबुरु-संज्ञिकाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुंबुरु (प्रातिपदिक) + संज्ञिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/गन्तव्य), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (तुंबुरुः संज्ञा यस्याः सा)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tīrtha-snānā (sacred bathing) as purificatory preparation for further sacred action and pilgrimage.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi (inner purification) as a support for higher pursuit.

Application: Begin important vows/visits with early-morning bath, mental recollection of the Lord, and disciplined travel to the sacred site.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha (sacred pond) and kshetra (named locality)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.27.23-25 (Vishnu manifestation; fruit of bathing; Kali-yuga rarity)

Characters & Entities

• Svami (the Lord)
• Puṣkariṇī (sacred pond)
• Tumburu (place-name)

FAQs

What is the importance of sacred bathing (snāna) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents dawn-bathing in a holy reservoir as a preparatory act of purification before proceeding to a sacred destination, emphasizing ritual cleanliness as part of dharmic observance.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes like death rites and spiritual purification?

Even when the broader text discusses subtle-body journeys and post-death rites, it repeatedly frames purity practices—like tīrtha-snana—as supportive disciplines that strengthen merit (puṇya) and readiness for higher spiritual aims.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin important religious duties with cleanliness and a calm morning routine; if a sacred place is unavailable, bathe mindfully and proceed with prayer/charity in a spirit of purity and self-discipline.