Shloka 13

Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna

Devanagari script

पीत्वा तदु दकं शीतं पद्मगन्धाधिवासितम् / तत उत्तीर्य सलिलाद्विमलाद्बभ्रुवाहनः

Transliteration

pītvā tadu dakaṃ śītaṃ padmagandhādhivāsitam / tata uttīrya salilādvimalādbabhruvāhanaḥ

Translation

പദ്മസുഗന്ധം നിറഞ്ഞ ആ തണുത്ത ജലം കുടിച്ച ശേഷം, ബഭ്രുവാഹനൻ നിർമലവും കളങ്കരഹിതവുമായ ജലത്തിൽ നിന്ന് ഉയർന്ന് പുറത്തുവന്നു।

Word by Word

• पीत्वा: having drunk
• पीत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √पा (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (absolutive), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (दकम्)

• उ: indeed/and
• उ: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उ (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic/connecting particle)

• दकम्: water
• दकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• शीतम्: cold
• शीतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (दकम्)

• पद्म: lotus
• पद्म: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग (पूर्वपद)

• गन्ध: fragrance
• गन्ध: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, समासाङ्ग (मध्यपद)

• अधिवासितम्: perfumed/scented
• अधिवासितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधि-√वास् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (दकम्)

• पद्मगन्धाधिवासितम्: scented with lotus-fragrance
• पद्मगन्धाधिवासितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म + गन्ध + अधिवासित (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषार्थः (पद्मगन्धेन अधिवासितम्)

• ततः: then/from there
• ततः: Adhikarana (Setting/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय/तद्-तसिल्)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of sequence/place)

• उत्तीर्य: having come out (ascended)
• उत्तीर्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत्-√तॄ (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृदन्त)
• Form: ल्यबन्त अव्यय (absolutive), पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having come out/crossed up)

• सलिलात्: from the water
• सलिलात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सलिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; अपादान

• विमलात्: clear/pure
• विमलात्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; विशेषण (सलिलात्)

• बभ्रुवाहनः: the one whose mount/horse was Babhru (Babhruvāhana)
• बभ्रुवाहनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बभ्रु + वाहन (प्रातिपदिक-समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (बभ्रुः वाहनं यस्य)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narration; within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue frame)

Medical Ayurveda

Dosha: Pitta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Outer cleansing mirrors inner clarity; purity (vimala) supports steadiness of mind.

Vedantic Theme: Antahkarana-shuddhi (purification of inner instrument) as a prerequisite for higher insight.

Application: Use simple purificatory acts (clean water, cleanliness, fragrance/sattva) to reset mind and conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: lotus-pond/clean river reach (generic जलाशय)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.27.12-15 (sequence of relief: water → shade → rest)

Characters & Entities

• Babhruvāhana

FAQs

What is the importance of cool, lotus-scented water in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse it functions as a marker of purity and auspicious cleansing—water described as cool, fragrant, and vimalā (spotless) signals ritual and spiritual refreshment after hardship or transition.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey described in the Preta Kanda?

Though this line is narrative, its imagery aligns with Preta Kanda themes: purification and relief through sacred waters, which often symbolize restoration and readiness to proceed on the next stage of the journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize inner and outer cleanliness in rites and daily life—approach rituals with purity, restraint, and reverence, using water as a reminder to cleanse intention as well as the body.