Shloka 15

Vratas, Nakṣatra Observances, Naivedya Rules, and Tithi-wise Devatā Worship

Devanagari script

एकभक्तेन नक्तेन तथैवायाचितेन च / उपवासेन शाकाद्यैः पूजयन्तसर्वदेवताः

Transliteration

ekabhaktena naktena tathaivāyācitena ca / upavāsena śākādyaiḥ pūjayantasarvadevatāḥ

Translation

ഒരു നേരം മാത്രം ഭക്ഷിക്കുക, രാത്രിയിൽ മാത്രം ഭക്ഷിക്കുക, ചോദിക്കാതെ ലഭിക്കുന്നതു സ്വീകരിക്കുക, ഉപവാസം പാലിക്കുക, ശാകാദികളിൽ ജീവിക്കുക—ഇവയാൽ സർവ്വദേവതകളും പൂജിക്കപ്പെട്ടതുപോലെ ആകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• एकभक्तेन: with single-meal observance
• एकभक्तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगः (भक्त-शब्दः), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्; 'एक-भक्त' = एकवारं भुक्तिः (single meal)

• नक्तेन: with night-only eating
• नक्तेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगः, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्; नक्तभोजन-व्रत-रूपेण

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम् (adverb)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (निपात-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (emphatic particle)

• आयाचितेन: with what is obtained without asking
• आयाचितेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ + याच् (धातु) → आयाचित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle used nominally), तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्; 'अनायाचित' अर्थे सन्दर्भः—याचितं न कृत्वा (without begging)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• उपवासेन: by fasting
• उपवासेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचनम्

• शाकाद्यैः: with vegetables etc.
• शाकाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाक (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचनम्; 'शाक-आदि' = vegetables etc.

• पूजयन्ति: worship
• पूजयन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), बहुवचनम्

• सर्वदेवताः: all the deities
• सर्वदेवताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचनम्; 'सर्व-देवता' = all deities

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Modes of regulated eating and fasting function as a comprehensive devotional act, pleasing all deities through self-restraint and purity.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha (sense-restraint) and sattva-uddhi as supports for spiritual progress; offering of the self through discipline.

Application: Adopt one restraint practice: ekabhukta (one meal), nakta (night meal), ayacita (accept only unsolicited), periodic fasting, or simple vegetarian meals—chosen according to capacity and health.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.137 (vrata as worship)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Sarva-devatāḥ

FAQs

What is the importance of dietary vows (vrata) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents disciplined eating—ekabhakta, nakta, ayācita, upavāsa, and simple food—as a direct mode of worship that pleases all deities, emphasizing self-restraint as a core dharmic practice.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on karma and purification?

By advocating restraint and non-indulgence, it implies karmic purification through tapas (austerity): reducing desire and attachment becomes a practical method for spiritual merit and inner cleanliness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a manageable discipline—such as eating once mindfully, avoiding unnecessary indulgence, occasional fasting, or keeping a simple sattvic diet—as a form of worship and ethical self-training.