Shloka 4

Vināyaka-pīḍā: Omens, Purification, Crossroads Offerings, and Ambikā Svastyayana

Devanagari script

सर्वौषधैः सर्वगन्धैर्विलिप्तशिरसस्तथा / भद्रासनोपविष्टस्य स्वस्ति वाच्यं द्विजाञ्छुभान्

Transliteration

sarvauṣadhaiḥ sarvagandhairviliptaśirasastathā / bhadrāsanopaviṣṭasya svasti vācyaṃ dvijāñchubhān

Translation

Con la cabeza ungida con todas las hierbas curativas y todas las fragancias, y sentado en el asiento auspicioso (bhadrāsana), debe hacerse que los virtuosos brahmanes dos veces nacidos pronuncien las bendiciones de “svasti”.

Word by Word

• सर्वौषधैः: with all herbs
• सर्वौषधैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + औषध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन (Neuter, Instrumental plural)

• सर्वगन्धैः: with all fragrances/perfumes
• सर्वगन्धैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन (Masculine, Instrumental plural)

• विलिप्तशिरसः: of (him) whose head is smeared/anointed
• विलिप्तशिरसः: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि+लिप् (धातु) → विलिप्त (कृदन्त) + शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; बहुव्रीह्यर्थे विशेषण (Genitive singular; 'of one whose head is anointed')

• तथा: thus; likewise
• तथा: Prakara (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/also')

• भद्रासनोपविष्टस्य: of (him) seated on a bhadrāsana seat
• भद्रासनोपविष्टस्य: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भद्रासन (प्रातिपदिक) + उप+विश् (धातु) → उपविष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; विशेषण (Genitive singular; 'seated on a bhadrāsana')

• स्वस्ति: well-being; auspiciousness
• स्वस्ति: Karma (Utterance-content/कर्म)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वस्ति (अव्यय)
• Form: मङ्गलार्थक अव्यय/निपात (benedictive particle)

• वाच्यम्: should be uttered
• वाच्यम्: Kriya (Injunctive action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → वाच्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (gerundive: 'is to be said')

• द्विजान्: Brahmins; twice-born
• द्विजान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन (Masculine, Accusative plural)

• शुभान्: auspicious, good
• शुभान्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषण (Masculine, Accusative plural; adjective qualifying द्विजान्)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śuddhi (anointing with herbs and fragrances) and śubha-vāk (svasti) together establish auspicious order; mantra and learned speech are protective forces.

Vedantic Theme: Power of śabda (mantra) within dharmic life; sattva cultivation through purity and right association (satsaṅga).

Application: Create a clean, calm setting; seek blessings/wise counsel before major rites; value words that stabilize and uplift.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual seat (bhadrāsana) in household/temple space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.100 (svasti-vācana and bhadrāsana sequence; immediate context)

Characters & Entities

• Dvijas (Brahmins)

FAQs

What is the importance of svasti-vachana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that auspicious blessings (svasti) spoken by virtuous dvijas are a key ritual element, invoked after preparing oneself with purification and proper seating.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana ritual guidance around death rites?

It reflects the Purana’s broader stress on orderly, sanctified procedure—purification, correct posture/seat, and sacred utterances—often forming the preparatory framework for subsequent rites and prayers.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach important religious observances with cleanliness, a calm and respectful setting, and the recitation of auspicious prayers/blessings by qualified practitioners.