Shloka 71

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

कृत्वा त्रिषवणं स्नानं पिण्डं चान्द्रायणं चरेत् / पवित्राणि जपेत्पिण्डान् गायत्त्र्या चाभिमन्त्रयेत्

Transliteration

kṛtvā triṣavaṇaṃ snānaṃ piṇḍaṃ cāndrāyaṇaṃ caret / pavitrāṇi japetpiṇḍān gāyattryā cābhimantrayet

Translation

Tras realizar el baño tres veces al día, debe prepararse el piṇḍa (ofrenda funeraria de arroz) y observarse el voto expiatorio de Cāndrāyaṇa. Deben recitarse los mantras Pavitrā y consagrar los piṇḍa invocándolos con la Gāyatrī.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृत्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive) — ‘having done’

• त्रिषवणम्: three times (at the three savanas)
• त्रिषवणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + सवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular; द्विगु-समास

• स्नानम्: bath
• स्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• पिण्डम्: a food-ball/lump
• पिण्डम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• चान्द्रायणम्: Cāndrāyaṇa penance
• चान्द्रायणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चान्द्रायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• चरेत्: should perform
• चरेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पवित्राणि: purificatory (mantras) / ‘pavitra’ hymns
• पवित्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन — accusative plural

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पिण्डान्: food-balls/lumps
• पिण्डान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन — accusative plural

• गायत्त्र्या: with the Gāyatrī (mantra)
• गायत्त्र्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — instrumental singular

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

• अभिमन्त्रयेत्: should consecrate by mantra / should chant over
• अभिमन्त्रयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + मन्त्र् (धातु) + णिच्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोजक (causative)

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Timing: Tri-savana (three daily junctions) context; applicable within vow-period such as Cāndrāyaṇa.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prāyaścitta requires both external purity (snāna) and internal sanctification (japa/abhimantraṇa) to make offerings efficacious.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) as purifier; disciplined action as preparation for sattva and devotion.

Application: Before any sacred act: cleanse body, steady breath, recite purifying mantras, and perform offerings with clear intention and correct invocation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105.69-70 (Cāndrāyaṇa via piṇḍa regulation); Garuda Purana ritual sections on śrāddha-mantras and purity (elsewhere in Pretakalpa/ācāra portions)

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri
• Pavitrani
• Chandrayana
• Pinda

FAQs

What is the importance of triṣavaṇa-snānā (thrice-daily bath) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse treats triṣavaṇa-snānā as a prerequisite purification before handling piṇḍa offerings, ensuring ritual cleanliness and readiness for śrāddha-related actions.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

By emphasizing piṇḍa preparation and mantra-consecration, the verse points to śrāddha supports offered to the departed, which the Garuda Purana links with post-death welfare and orderly transition under dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or memorial rites, prioritize personal purification, follow the prescribed vow/discipline when relevant, and perform offerings with focused mantra-recitation (especially Gāyatrī) rather than treating the rite as a mere formality.