Shloka 8

Phala-Saptamī and Vijayā-Saptamī: Bhādrapada Worship, Feeding, Mantra, and Sevenfold Saptamī Restraints

Devanagari script

गोधूममाषयवषष्टिककांस्यपात्रं पाषाणपिष्टमधुमैषुनमद्यमांसम् / अभ्यञ्जनाञ्जनतिलांश्च विवर्जयेद्यः तस्येषितं भवति सप्तसु सप्तमीषु

Transliteration

godhūmamāṣayavaṣaṣṭikakāṃsyapātraṃ pāṣāṇapiṣṭamadhumaiṣunamadyamāṃsam / abhyañjanāñjanatilāṃśca vivarjayedyaḥ tasyeṣitaṃ bhavati saptasu saptamīṣu

Translation

Celui qui, durant les sept jours de Saptamī, s’abstient de blé, de māṣa (gramme noir), de yava (orge), de riz ṣaṣṭika ; de manger dans un récipient de kāṃsya (métal de cloche) ; de nourriture broyée sur pierre ; de miel, de viande de buffle, de liqueur et de viande—et qui évite aussi l’onction d’huile, l’añjana (collyre) et le sésame—obtient le fruit désiré en ces sept Saptamī.

Word by Word

• गोधूममाषयवषष्टिककांस्यपात्रम्: (items like) wheat, black-gram, barley, ṣaṣṭika-rice, and a bronze vessel
• गोधूममाषयवषष्टिककांस्यपात्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोधूम + माष + यव + षष्टिक + कांस्य + पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (these items collectively)

• पाषाणपिष्टमधुमैषुनमद्यमांसम्: stone-ground flour, honey, sexual intercourse, liquor, and meat
• पाषाणपिष्टमधुमैषुनमद्यमांसम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाषाण + पिष्ट + मधु + मैषुन + मद्य + मांस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्वः (collective list)

• अभ्यञ्जनाञ्जनतिलान्: oil-massage, collyrium, and sesame
• अभ्यञ्जनाञ्जनतिलान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यञ्जन + अञ्जन + तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (abhyañjana, collyrium, sesame)

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

• विवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• विवर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्ज् (धातु) + वि- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (relative pronoun)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (genitive pronoun)

• इषितम्: desired (thing)
• इषितम्: Kriya (Predicate complement)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भवति: becomes/comes to be
• भवति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• सप्तसु: in seven (instances)
• सप्तसु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (सप्तन्-शब्दः) सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• सप्तमीषु: on the seventh lunar days
• सप्तमीषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्तमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Niyama/niṣedha: abstaining from specified grains, vessels, preparations, and sensual adornments strengthens vrata efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Sāttvika-śuddhi via restraint; reducing rajas (sensuality) and tamas (heaviness) to stabilize mind and intention.

Application: When undertaking a vow, define concrete avoidances (foods, intoxicants, vanity habits) and keep them consistently across the prescribed days.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: vrata-observance setting (home/temple)

Cross References

Related Themes: Vijayā-saptamī vrata rules (1.130.6-8); Garuda Purana vrata sections listing niyamas and food restrictions (contextual)

FAQs

What is the importance of Saptamī observance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Saptamī as a results-oriented vrata: by abstaining from specified foods and indulgences on seven Saptamīs, one is said to attain the intended spiritual or devotional aim.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly—by emphasizing self-restraint and ritual discipline (vrata-niyama), it frames ethical and bodily control as supportive practices for auspicious outcomes, a recurring theme in Garuda Purana’s dharma-oriented teachings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice intentional restraint on sacred observance days: reduce intoxicants and heavy foods, simplify diet, and use the day for prayer, japa, charity, and mindful living aligned with your vow.