Shloka 9

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

कौशेयं पट्टसूत्रं वा कार्पासं क्षौममेव वा / कुशसूत्र द्विजानां स्याद्राज्ञा कौशेयपट्टकम्

Transliteration

kauśeyaṃ paṭṭasūtraṃ vā kārpāsaṃ kṣaumameva vā / kuśasūtra dvijānāṃ syādrājñā kauśeyapaṭṭakam

Translation

Benang sutra, benang kain (patta), kapas, atau linen boleh dipakai. Bagi kaum dwija ditetapkan benang dari rumput kuśa, sedangkan bagi raja ditetapkan benang dari sutra dan kain patta.

Word by Word

• कौशेयम्: silk (cloth)
• कौशेयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; द्रव्यवाचक (silk-cloth)

• पट्टसूत्रम्: silk-thread (for cloth)
• पट्टसूत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पट्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पट्टस्य सूत्रम्)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (disjunctive particle: or)

• कार्पासम्: cotton (cloth/thread)
• कार्पासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्पास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; द्रव्यवाचक (cotton)

• क्षौमम्: linen (flax cloth)
• क्षौमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षौम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; द्रव्यवाचक (linen/flax)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle: indeed/only)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (or)

• कुशसूत्रम्: kuśa-grass thread
• कुशसूत्रम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कुशस्य सूत्रम्)

• द्विजानाम्: of the twice-born (Brahmins etc.)
• द्विजानाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• राज्ञा: by/for the king
• राज्ञा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करण/हेतु-भाव (by/for the king)

• कौशेयपट्टकम्: a silk पट्टक (silk band/cloth)
• कौशेयपट्टकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशेय (प्रातिपदिक) + पट्टक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (कौशेयः पट्टकः)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Appropriateness (yogyatā) of ritual materials according to varna and station (including the king).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as purifier of antaḥkaraṇa; external niyama supporting inner sattva.

Application: When preparing/choosing yajñopavīta/cord or ritual thread, select material per prescribed eligibility; avoid adharma through improper substitutes.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (griha/vedi)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43.10-13 (continuation on garments, deities in thread, measures and vessels)

Characters & Entities

• Dvija
• Rājā (King)
• Kuśa
• Kauśeya

FAQs

What is the importance of prescribed thread materials in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats materials (silk, cotton, linen, kuśa) as part of āchāra—ritual propriety—showing that dharma includes correct substances for sacred/ritual cords according to one’s station.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing disciplined conduct (āchāra) and correct ritual observance, it supports the broader Purāṇic theme that right living and proper rites shape karmic outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If observing traditional rites (e.g., upanayana-related practices or ritual cord usage), follow one’s sampradāya and competent guidance on permitted materials, treating ritual details as expressions of disciplined dharma rather than mere formality.