Shloka 6

Purification of Substances (Dravya-Śuddhi) and Rules of Ācamana

Devanagari script

भस्माद्भिर्लोहकांस्यानामज्ञातं च सदा शुचि / अमेध्याक्तस्य मृत्तोयैर्गन्धलेपापकर्षणात्

Transliteration

bhasmādbhirlohakāṃsyānāmajñātaṃ ca sadā śuci / amedhyāktasya mṛttoyairgandhalepāpakarṣaṇāt

Translation

लोखंड व कांस्य यांची शुद्धी भस्म व पाण्याने होते; आणि अज्ञात (अदृश्य) मलिनताही नेहमी शुद्ध होते. अमेध्याने लिप्त वस्तू माती व पाण्याने शुद्ध होते, कारण ती दुर्गंध व लेपाचे डाग दूर करतात.

Word by Word

• भस्माद्भिः: with ashes
• भस्माद्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — Instrumental plural

• लोहकांस्यानाम्: of iron and bell-metal
• लोहकांस्यानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोह + कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार/द्वन्द्व), षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन — Genitive plural

• अज्ञातम्: (if) unknown/uncertain (impurity)
• अज्ञातम्: Karta (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अज्ञात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन — Nominative/Accusative singular; here as predicate adjective

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात — conjunction

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय — adverb

• शुचि: pure
• शुचि: Karta (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन — Nominative/Accusative singular; here as predicate adjective

• अमेध्याक्तस्य: of one smeared with impure matter
• अमेध्याक्तस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमेध्य + आक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन — Genitive singular; विशेषण (qualifier)

• मृत्-तोयैः: with earth (clay) and water
• मृत्-तोयैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत् + तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार/द्वन्द्व), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — Instrumental plural

• गन्धलेपापकर्षणात्: from removal of smell and smear
• गन्धलेपापकर्षणात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + लेप + अपकर्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन — Ablative singular

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Metals/bronze are purified by ash and water; even unseen impurity is cleansed; smeared impurity is removed by earth and water because they remove odor and coating.

Vedantic Theme: Subtle causes (adṛṣṭa/unknown impurity) are acknowledged; dharma includes care for both gross and subtle cleanliness, supporting sattvic living.

Application: Clean metalware with ash/water (or suitable abrasives); treat odor/stains with earth-like absorbents and water; don’t ignore ‘invisible’ contamination—clean routinely.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household/ritual cleaning context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.97 (continuation on śuddhi media: ash, water, earth; removal of odor/coating)

FAQs

What is the importance of ritual purification (śauca) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines practical standards of śauca: specific substances (ash, water, earth) are prescribed to restore purity to objects, ensuring ritual actions are performed in a clean and dharmic manner.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana framework where correct conduct and ritual discipline (ācāra, śauca) uphold dharma—creating merit that influences post-death outcomes rather than describing the soul’s journey here directly.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

For traditional practice, clean metal/bronze utensils with water and (where appropriate) ash; for stained or foul-smelling contamination, use earth/clay and water to remove residue and odor—emphasizing cleanliness, mindfulness, and respect for sacred activities.