Shloka 15

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

प्रायशः सम्भवत्यत्र गर्भस्त्वष्टाहमध्यतः / पञ्चमे ऽहनि नारीणां कार्यं माधुर्यभोजनम्

Transliteration

prāyaśaḥ sambhavatyatra garbhastvaṣṭāhamadhyataḥ / pañcame 'hani nārīṇāṃ kāryaṃ mādhuryabhojanam

Translation

സാധാരണയായി ഈ വിഷയത്തിൽ ഗർഭധാരണം എട്ട് ദിവസത്തെ കാലയളവിന്റെ മദ്ധ്യത്തിൽ സംഭവിക്കുന്നു. അഞ്ചാം ദിവസം സ്ത്രീകൾ മധുരവും പോഷകവുമായ ആഹാരം സ്വീകരിക്കണമെന്ന് ഉപദേശിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• prāyaśaḥ: generally / for the most part
• prāyaśaḥ: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: prāyaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• sambhavati: occurs / happens
• sambhavati: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-√bhū (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• atra: here / in this context
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• garbhaḥ: embryo / conception
• garbhaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: garbha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

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

• aṣṭāha-madhyataḥ: from the middle of eight days
• aṣṭāha-madhyataḥ: Apādāna (Ablative point/source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭāha (प्रातिपदिक; aṣṭa+aha) + madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (अष्टाहस्य मध्यतः)

• pañcame: on the fifth
• pañcame: Adhikaraṇa (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषण (ahani)

• ahani: day
• ahani: Adhikaraṇa (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; कालवाचक

• nārīṇām: of women
• nārīṇām: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन

• kāryam: (it is) to be done / should be done
• kāryam: Kriyā-artha (Obligation/predicate nominal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय (what is to be done)

• mādhurya-bhojanam: sweet food / sweet diet
• mādhurya-bhojanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mādhurya (प्रातिपदिक) + bhojana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (माधुर्ययुक्तं भोजनम् / माधुर्यस्य भोजनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper regimen around conception; food as a dharmic support for healthy progeny and balanced bodily conditions.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-supporting āhāra as an aid to clarity and harmony; embodied life follows lawful causation.

Application: Adopt nourishing, gentle foods at the recommended time; prioritize supportive nutrition during conception attempts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.16-17 (avoid irritants/heat; cooling regimen)

Characters & Entities

• Women (nārī)
• Garbha (embryo/conception)

FAQs

What does this Garuda Purana verse say about the timing of conception (garbha)?

It states that conception generally occurs around the middle of an eight-day window, indicating a traditional view of fertile timing and early embryonic formation.

Why does the verse recommend sweet foods for women on the fifth day?

The verse prescribes mādhurya-bhojana—sweet, pleasant, nourishing diet—on the fifth day as part of a regimen believed to support reproductive wellbeing and favorable conception conditions.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for modern life?

As a general principle, it encourages mindful timing and supportive nutrition during conception-related periods, emphasizing wholesome, gentle, nourishing food choices.