Shloka 54

Āhnika-Dharma: Dawn Purification, Sandhyā-Upāsanā, Tarpana, Pañca-Mahāyajñas, and Aśauca Rules

Devanagari script

अन्यैः सौरैर्वैदिकैश्च गायत्त्रीं च ततो जपेत् / मन्त्रांश्च विविधान्पश्चात्प्राक्कूले च कशासने

Transliteration

anyaiḥ saurairvaidikaiśca gāyattrīṃ ca tato japet / mantrāṃśca vividhānpaścātprākkūle ca kaśāsane

Translation

Ensuite, qu’on récite la Gāyatrī, ainsi que d’autres mantras solaires et védiques. Après cela, qu’on prononce encore divers mantras, assis sur un siège de kuśa dont la pointe est tournée vers l’est.

Word by Word

• अन्यैः: with other
• अन्यैः: Karaṇa (Means/with)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘सौरैः/वैदिकैः’ इति विशेषण

• सौरैः: with solar (Sūrya-related) [mantras]
• सौरैः: Karaṇa (Means/with)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• वैदिकैः: with Vedic [mantras]
• वैदिकैः: Karaṇa (Means/with)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैदिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; ‘मन्त्रैः’ (understood) इति विशेषण

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

• गायत्रीम्: the Gāyatrī
• गायत्रीम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: also
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (thereafter/then)

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (Injunctive main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• मन्त्रान्: mantras
• मन्त्रान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• विविधान्: various
• विविधान्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘मन्त्रान्’ इति विशेषण

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (Temporal)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (afterwards)

• प्राक्कूले: on the eastern bank
• प्राक्कूले: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राक् + कूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः: प्राच्यं कूलम् (eastern bank)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• कशासने: on a kuśa-grass seat
• कशासने: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कश + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; समासः: कशानां आसनम् (seat of kuśa grass)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right sequence (krama) and right supports (āsana, direction) stabilize mind for mantra-japa; disciplined action becomes a vehicle for inner steadiness.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi: precise, non-negligent performance reduces rajas/tamas and supports contemplation.

Application: Keep a fixed place/time for japa; sit on a clean mat (traditional kuśa or modern equivalent), face east in the morning, and follow a consistent mantra order.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual seat (kuśāsana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50 (Sandhyā: Gāyatrī-japa plus sūrya/vaidika mantras; āsana/dik-niyama)

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Vedic Mantras
• Gayatri

FAQs

What is the importance of Gāyatrī-japa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse places Gāyatrī-japa at the core of daily mantra practice, presenting it as a primary recitation to be performed alongside other Vedic and solar mantras for disciplined purification and dharmic routine.

Why does the verse mention sitting on a kuśa-āsana oriented to the east?

It indicates a formal Vedic posture for japa: using a kuśa seat and aligning it eastward (prāk) to maintain ritual correctness, steadiness, and auspicious orientation during mantra recitation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent daily japa routine: begin with Gāyatrī (if initiated/appropriate), add a small set of Vedic prayers, and sit in a clean, stable seat facing east to cultivate focus and reverence.