Shloka 5

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

अन्तर्जानुः शुचौ देश उपविष्ट उदङ्मुखः / प्राग्वा ब्राह्मेण तीर्थेन द्विजो नित्यमुपस्पृशेत्

Transliteration

antarjānuḥ śucau deśa upaviṣṭa udaṅmukhaḥ / prāgvā brāhmeṇa tīrthena dvijo nityamupaspṛśet

Translation

Le dvija (deux fois né) doit chaque jour accomplir l’ācāmana, assis en un lieu pur, les genoux ramenés, tourné vers le nord—ou bien vers l’est—en prenant l’eau selon le Brahma-tīrtha, la position de la main prescrite pour les rites brahmaniques.

Word by Word

• अन्तर्जानुः: with knees drawn in (sitting with knees tucked)
• अन्तर्जानुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्तर् + जानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण—‘जानु’ (knee) के भीतर/अन्तर स्थित (with knees drawn in)

• शुचौ: in a pure (place)
• शुचौ: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषण

• देशे: in a place
• देशे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• उपविष्टः: seated
• उपविष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप + √विश् (विश् धातु) → उपविष्ट (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत—‘seated’

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north
• उदङ्मुखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण—उत्तराभिमुख (facing north)

• प्राक्: eastward / facing east
• प्राक्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्राक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; दिक्-अव्यय (directional adverb)

• वा: or
• वा: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक निपात (particle of option)

• ब्राह्मेण: with the brahma (type of)
• ब्राह्मेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण—ब्राह्म-सम्बन्धि (Brahma-related)

• तीर्थेन: with (that) tīrtha / sacred water-touch
• तीर्थेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• द्विजः: a twice-born (Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya)
• द्विजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• नित्यम्: always / daily
• नित्यम्: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण; नित्य-शब्दस्य अव्ययप्रयोग (adverbial accusative)

• उपस्पृशेत्: should perform ācamana / should touch water (ritually)
• उपस्पृशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप + √स्पृश् (स्पृश् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya-śauca and ācamana as daily purification with correct posture, direction, and brahma-tīrtha hand-position.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a prerequisite for japa, upāsanā, and higher knowledge.

Application: Establish a consistent daily purification routine: sit in a clean place, face north/east, and perform ācamana with proper hand formation (brahma-tīrtha) before worship, study, or meals.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual seat/household sacred space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.94.6-9 (tīrtha-points, method, water quality, gradations, ancillary purifiers)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija
• Brahma-tirtha

FAQs

What is the importance of ācamana (upasparśa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents ācamana as a daily act of ritual purification, to be done with correct posture, cleanliness, and prescribed hand-position (Brahma-tīrtha), indicating that outer discipline supports dharmic conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing daily purity and right conduct (ācāra), it frames dharma as foundational preparation for higher spiritual outcomes; the Garuda Purana repeatedly links disciplined living with favorable post-death results.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent daily purity practice (physical cleanliness and mindful routine); if following tradition, perform ācamana in a clean spot facing east or north with proper method, cultivating steadiness and reverence in daily life.