Shloka 7

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

त्रिः प्राश्यापो द्विरुन्मृज्य खान्याद्भिः समुपस्पृशेत् / अद्भिस्तु प्रकृतिस्थाभिर्हेनाभिः फेनबुहुदैः

Transliteration

triḥ prāśyāpo dvirunmṛjya khānyādbhiḥ samupaspṛśet / adbhistu prakṛtisthābhirhenābhiḥ phenabuhudaiḥ

Translation

മൂന്നു പ്രാവശ്യം ജലം പ്രാശനം ചെയ്ത് രണ്ടു പ്രാവശ്യം വായ് തുടച്ച്, ജലത്തോടെ ഇന്ദ്രിയദ്വാരങ്ങളെ സ്പർശിച്ച് ആചമനം ചെയ്യണം; ജലം സ്വാഭാവികാവസ്ഥയിൽ, തെളിഞ്ഞതും നുരയില്ലാത്തതും അത്യധികഫേനരഹിതവും ആയിരിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• त्रिः: thrice
• त्रिः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रिः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; संख्यावाचक क्रियाविशेषण (numeral adverb)

• प्राश्य: having sipped
• प्राश्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √प्रश् (प्रश् धातु) → प्राश्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having sipped’

• आपः: water
• आपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (बहुवचन-प्रयोग), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन

• द्विः: twice
• द्विः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; संख्यावाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• उन्मृज्य: having wiped/cleansed
• उन्मृज्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उद् + √मृज् (मृज् धातु) → उन्मृज्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having wiped/cleansed’

• खानि: the (bodily) openings
• खानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; ‘openings’ (eyes, nostrils etc.)

• अद्भिः: with water
• अद्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• समुपस्पृशेत्: should perform ācamana properly
• समुपस्पृशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + उप + √स्पृश् (स्पृश् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अद्भिः: with waters
• अद्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• तु: but / indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• प्रकृतिस्थाभिः: with (water) in its natural (clean) state
• प्रकृतिस्थाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रकृति + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण—प्रकृतौ स्थिता (in natural state, clean/unsullied)

• हेनाभिः: with scum/foam
• हेनाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; ‘foam/scum’ (impure froth)

• फेनबुहुदैः: with much foam
• फेनबुहुदैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फेन + बहुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण—फेनः बहुधा/बहु यस्मिन् (much-foamy)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper ācāmana sequence (three sips, two wipes, then touching sense-openings) using clean, naturally clear water without foam/excess froth.

Vedantic Theme: External order supports internal sattva; disciplined procedure reduces rajas/tamas before sacred acts.

Application: Before prayer or study: sip water thrice, wipe mouth twice, then touch eyes/ears/nose etc. with wet fingers; ensure water is clean and uncontaminated (avoid bubbly/soapy/impure water).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: river/well/household vessel (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.94.5 (posture/direction); Garuda Purana 1.94.6 (kara-tīrthas); Garuda Purana 1.94.8 (gradation of purification)

FAQs

What is the importance of ācamana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats ācamana as a required act of śauca (ritual cleanliness): sip water in a prescribed manner and purify the sense-openings, making one fit for prayer, japa, and other rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the soul’s journey directly; instead, it lays the ritual-dharma foundation—purity and correct practice—that the Garuda Purana repeatedly presents as supportive of spiritual discipline and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before worship or meditation, follow a simple purification routine: sip clean water mindfully, maintain bodily cleanliness, and use uncontaminated water—emphasizing intention, hygiene, and readiness for sacred action.