Shloka 4

Gayā-yātrā-vidhi: Multi-day Śrāddha Route, Pitṛ-devatās, and Akṣaya Merit at Gayā

Devanagari script

मुण्डनं चोपवासश्च सर्वतीर्थेष्वयं विधिः / वर्जयित्वा कुरुक्षेत्रं विशालां विरजां गयाम्

Transliteration

muṇḍanaṃ copavāsaśca sarvatīrtheṣvayaṃ vidhiḥ / varjayitvā kurukṣetraṃ viśālāṃ virajāṃ gayām

Translation

മുണ്ഡനം (തലമുടി മുറിക്കൽ)യും ഉപവാസവും—ഇത് എല്ലാ തീർത്ഥങ്ങളിലും വിധിയാണ്; എന്നാൽ കുരുക്ഷേത്രം, വിശാലാ, വിരജാ, ഗയാ എന്നിവിടങ്ങളിൽ ഇത് ഒഴിവാക്കപ്പെടുന്നു।

Word by Word

• मुण्डनम्: shaving (of the head)
• मुण्डनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुण्डन (प्रातिपदिक; √मुण्ड्/मुण्ड् धातु-निष्पन्न)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• उपवासः: fasting
• उपवासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• सर्वतीर्थेषु: in all sacred places
• सर्वतीर्थेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय ("सर्वाणि तीर्थानि")

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• विधिः: rule, injunction
• विधिः: Pradhana (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वर्जयित्वा: having excluded/excepting
• वर्जयित्वा: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial to main action/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वर्जय् (धातु) → वर्जयित्वा (कृदन्त, त्वान्त)
• Form: त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Kurukṣetra
• कुरुक्षेत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरुक्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष ("कुरूणां क्षेत्रम्")

• विशालाम्: Viśālā (place-name)
• विशालाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशाला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• विरजाम्: Virajā (place-name/river)
• विरजाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• गयाम्: Gayā
• गयाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tīrtha-ācāra: general prescriptions exist, yet dharma is context-sensitive; specific kṣetra-vidhi can supersede a universal-looking rule.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as a means of purification varies by deśa-kāla-pātra; adherence to right conduct supports inner steadiness.

Application: Before pilgrimage, learn the local kṣetra-vidhi from reliable tradition; do not impose one-size-fits-all austerities where custom forbids.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha/kshetra (multiple sacred sites)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: tīrtha-vidhi passages listing kṣetra-specific rules and prohibitions; Garuda Purana: śrāddha and snāna regulations by place and time in adjacent verses

Characters & Entities

• Kurukshetra
• Vishala
• Viraja
• Gaya

FAQs

What is the importance of mundan (head-shaving) and fasting in Garuda Purana rites?

This verse states they are general tīrtha injunctions—acts of purification and restraint—commonly observed when performing sacred rites connected with ancestors and merit.

Why does the verse mention exceptions like Kurukshetra and Gaya?

It indicates that certain renowned tīrthas have distinct traditional procedures; therefore the usual rule of tonsure and fasting is not universally applied there.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When planning śrāddha or pilgrimage-related observances, follow the local/scriptural custom of that specific tīrtha (especially places like Gayā) rather than applying one rule everywhere.