Shloka 10

Devanagari script

आदौ स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत स्नात्वा सन्ध्यां समाचरेत् / अर्चनागारमासाद्य प्रक्षाल्यार्ङ्घ्यादिकं तथा

Transliteration

ādau snānaṃ prakurvīta snātvā sandhyāṃ samācaret / arcanāgāramāsādya prakṣālyārṅghyādikaṃ tathā

Translation

D’abord, qu’on prenne le bain ; après s’être baigné, qu’on accomplisse dûment les rites de Sandhyā. Puis, en se rendant au lieu d’adoration, qu’on lave et prépare de même l’arghya et les autres objets rituels.

Word by Word

• आदौ: at first
• आदौ: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-एकवचनरूपेण अव्ययवत् (locative used adverbially: 'in the beginning')

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रकुर्वीत: should perform
• प्रकुर्वीत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (Optative/विधि), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• स्नात्वा: having bathed
• स्नात्वा: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्ना (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), पूर्वक्रिया (prior action)

• सन्ध्याम्: the twilight rite (sandhyā)
• सन्ध्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्ध्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• समाचरेत्: should practice/perform
• समाचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (Optative), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• अर्चनागारम्: the worship-room
• अर्चनागारम्: Karma (Object/goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्चना + आगार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: अर्चनायाः आगारम् (place/room for worship)

• आसाद्य: having approached
• आसाद्य: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√सद् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), 'having reached/approached'

• प्रक्षाल्य: having washed
• प्रक्षाल्य: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√क्षल् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), 'having washed/cleansed'

• अर्ङ्घ्यादिकम्: arghya and the like (offerings)
• अर्ङ्घ्यादिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य + आदि + क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: अर्घ्यं आदिः यस्य तत् (arghya etc.)

• तथा: likewise, thus
• तथा: None (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/likewise')

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External purity and daily rites (snāna, sandhyā) are prerequisites for effective worship; ritual objects must be cleansed and properly arranged.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga/upāsanā as preparation (sādhana) for inner purity; outer order supports inner order.

Application: Begin worship with hygiene and mental centering; keep a dedicated clean space; prepare arghya and implements mindfully rather than hurriedly.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/shrine/home-altar

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.32.11 (ācamana, āsana, śoṣaṇa etc. as next steps)

FAQs

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

This verse places snāna first, indicating ritual purity and readiness as the foundation for Sandhyā and subsequent pūjā.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it teaches disciplined dharmic routine—purity, Sandhyā, and worship—which the Garuḍa Purāṇa treats as supportive of merit (puṇya) and spiritual steadiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a simple order: personal cleanliness, a brief daily prayer/meditation (Sandhyā spirit), and mindful preparation of a clean space and materials for worship.