Shloka 40

Devotpatti-nirūpaṇa — Hari’s Pūrṇatva

Completeness) and the Ritual Doctrine of Sāra (Essence

Devanagari script

त्रिवर्षं केसरं फल्ग सारमित्युच्यते बुधैः / कस्तूरी दशवर्षं तु कर्पूरं वर्षमात्रकम्

Transliteration

trivarṣaṃ kesaraṃ phalga sāramityucyate budhaiḥ / kastūrī daśavarṣaṃ tu karpūraṃ varṣamātrakam

Translation

बुद्धिमान कहते हैं कि केसर तीन वर्ष तक प्रभावी रहता है, और ‘फल्ग-सार’ नामक सार भी उतने ही समय तक गुणकारी रहता है। कस्तूरी दस वर्ष तक बलवती रहती है, पर कर्पूर केवल एक वर्ष तक ही टिकता है।

Word by Word

• त्रिवर्षम्: of three years (duration)
• त्रिवर्षम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिवर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; द्विगुसमास (त्रि + वर्ष)

• केसरम्: saffron / pollen (kesara)
• केसरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• फल्ग: inferior; weak
• फल्ग: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फल्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण

• सारम्: essence; potency
• सारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इत्यादि-उद्धरणसूचक (quotative particle)

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive)

• बुधैः: by the wise
• बुधैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन

• कस्तूरी: musk
• कस्तूरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कस्तूरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• दशवर्षम्: of ten years (duration)
• दशवर्षम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशवर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; द्विगुसमास (दश + वर्ष)

• तु: but; indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/विरोधार्थक निपात (particle)

• कर्पूरम्: camphor
• कर्पूरम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्पूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• वर्षमात्रकम्: only one year (in duration)
• वर्षमात्रकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्ष + मात्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास (वर्षस्य मात्रम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper knowledge of material potency and shelf-life as part of correct ritual/household conduct (dravya-śuddhi and kāla-yogyatā).

Vedantic Theme: Anityatā (impermanence) of material supports; right use of prakṛti in service of dharma.

Application: Use fresh, potent aromatics; replace saffron after ~3 years, musk after ~10, camphor after ~1; avoid stale offerings/medicinals in worship and rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.14 (dravya-guṇa/śuddhi and ritual suitability context)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of potency periods of ritual substances in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that offerings should be materially sound and time-appropriate; using substances within their effective period is part of maintaining śrāddha/rite purity and intended efficacy.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and śrāddha?

In the Preta Kanda context, the text gives practical standards for items used in post-death rites; fragrances like saffron, musk, and camphor are treated as time-sensitive ritual materials.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

For śrāddha, tarpaṇa, or puja, use fresh, uncontaminated materials—especially aromatics—and replace old camphor or degraded items to keep offerings clean and respectful.