Shloka 9

Vināyaka-pīḍā: Omens, Purification, Crossroads Offerings, and Ambikā Svastyayana

Devanagari script

ललाटे कर्णयोरक्ष्णोरापस्तद्घ्नुन्तु ते सदा / स्नातस्य सार्षपं तैलं स्नुवेणौदुम्बरेण तु

Transliteration

lalāṭe karṇayorakṣṇorāpastadghnuntu te sadā / snātasya sārṣapaṃ tailaṃ snuveṇaudumbareṇa tu

Translation

水よ、額と耳と眼よりその悩みを常に払い除けたまえ。沐浴ののち、芥子油を塗り、スヌヒー(snuhī)の乳白の樹液と、ウドゥンバラ(udumbara)聖イチジクの木（または器具）を用いよ。

Word by Word

• ललाटे: on the forehead
• ललाटे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ललाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (Locative singular)

• कर्णयोः: in the two ears
• कर्णयोः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी/षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम् (Locative dual here: in the two ears)

• अक्ष्णोः: in the two eyes
• अक्ष्णोः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी/षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, द्विवचनम् (Locative dual here: in the two eyes)

• आपः: waters
• आपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम् (Nominative plural)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (that [misfortune])

• घ्नुन्तु: may (they) destroy
• घ्नुन्तु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हन् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकारः (आज्ञार्थः), प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्, परस्मैपदम्; घ्नन्तु/घ्नुन्तु = हन्तु (let them destroy)

• ते: for you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (of you/for you)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; कालवाचक-क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb of time)

• स्नातस्य: of the bathed (person)
• स्नातस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √स्ना (धातु) → स्नात (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्तः (क्त-प्रत्ययः), पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; 'स्नातस्य' = of one who has bathed (Genitive singular)

• सार्षपम्: mustard (made of mustard)
• सार्षपम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्षप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (mustard-)

• तैलम्: oil
• तैलम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• स्नुवेण: with snu (a plant/latex)
• स्नुवेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (Instrumental singular; 'with snu'—a plant/latex)

• औदुम्बरेण: with (something) of udumbara (wood)
• औदुम्बरेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदुम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तद्धित-प्रत्ययः (औदुम्बर = made of udumbara wood)

• तु: and; indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; निपातः

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya, within the Viṣṇu–Garuḍa dialogue)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Vata

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purification is both mantra-based and substance-based: water wards off afflictions; specific oils/plants are applied as protective measures.

Vedantic Theme: Body as an instrument (śarīra-sādhana) to be maintained in sattva for dharma; outer cleanliness supporting inner clarity.

Application: After bathing, adopt a consistent self-care ritual (abhyanga) with suitable oil; protect sensory health (eyes/ears) through cleanliness and moderation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: bathing place / household courtyard

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: ācāra sections on snāna, rakṣā, and use of substances for doṣa-nivāraṇa (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Garuḍa

FAQs

What is the importance of ritual purification with water in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents water (āpaḥ) as a protective purifier that removes or repels afflictions and impurity from sensitive organs, emphasizing ritual cleanliness as a form of spiritual and bodily safeguarding.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana teachings?

Indirectly: it reinforces that disciplined āchāra (right conduct and purity) supports dharma, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly links to favorable outcomes after death and a smoother post-mortem journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain daily cleanliness and mindful post-bath routines; interpret the anointing instructions as a traditional protective practice and, more broadly, as a reminder to cultivate disciplined, sattvic habits.