Shloka 41

Devotpatti-nirūpaṇa — Hari’s Pūrṇatva

Completeness) and the Ritual Doctrine of Sāra (Essence

Devanagari script

ससारमिति संप्रोक्तं चन्दनं सर्वदा स्मृतम् / शुद्धन्निः सारभूतांश्च वक्ष्ये शृणु खगेश्वर

Transliteration

sasāramiti saṃproktaṃ candanaṃ sarvadā smṛtam / śuddhanniḥ sārabhūtāṃśca vakṣye śṛṇu khageśvara

Translation

ചന്ദനം എപ്പോഴും ‘സസാരം’ അഥവാ സാരസമ്പന്നം എന്നു സ്മരിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. ഇനി ശുദ്ധമായിട്ടും സാരരഹിതമായി കണക്കാക്കപ്പെടുന്ന വസ്തുക്കളെ ഞാൻ പറയും—കേൾക്കുക, ഖഗേശ്വര ഗരുഡാ.

Word by Word

• ससारम्: with essence; substantial
• ससारम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावसमास (स- उपसर्गार्थे = 'सहितम्')

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरणसूचक

• संप्रोक्तम्: has been declared
• संप्रोक्तम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत् (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• चन्दनम्: sandalwood
• चन्दनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• स्मृतम्: is remembered/considered
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), भूतकर्मणि (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• शुद्धम्: pure
• शुद्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण

• निःसारभूतान्: those that have become essence-less
• निःसारभूतान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निःसार + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास (निःसारः एव भूतः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• वक्ष्ये: I will tell
• वक्ष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमास

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Discrimination (viveka) among substances: some are ‘sāra’ (substantive/efficacious), others are ‘niḥsāra’ (lacking essential efficacy) despite appearing pure.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka between appearance and essence; guṇa-vicāra applied to dharmic action.

Application: Prefer sandalwood as a reliable, ‘sāra’ substance for anointing/offering; learn which items, though clean, are unsuitable or low-value for intended rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.14.40 (potency durations); Garuda Purana 3.14.42–43 (lists of niḥsāra items to follow)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of sandalwood (candana) in the Garuda Purana context?

This verse highlights sandalwood as “sāra” (essence-bearing), implying it is valued as a potent, meaningful ritual substance rather than a merely symbolic or empty offering.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals and offerings?

It sets up a distinction between substances with real ritual-spiritual efficacy (“sāra”) and those that may be outwardly pure yet “niḥsāra” (lacking essence), guiding discernment in ritual choices.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Choose offerings and ritual materials with sincerity and meaningful purpose—prioritizing substance and intention over mere external purity or formality.