Shloka 54

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

प्राणायामशतं कुर्यात्सर्वपापापनुक्त्ये / ओङ्काराभियुतं सोमसलिलप्रशनाच्छुचिः

Transliteration

prāṇāyāmaśataṃ kuryātsarvapāpāpanuktye / oṅkārābhiyutaṃ somasalilapraśanācchuciḥ

Translation

Untuk menyingkirkan segala dosa, hendaklah dilakukan seratus pusingan prāṇāyāma. Setelah disucikan, hendaklah meneguk air soma (air suci) sambil disertai lafaz “Oṁ”.

Word by Word

• प्राणायामशतम्: a hundred prāṇāyāmas
• प्राणायामशतम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणायाम + शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्राणायामानां शतम् (a hundred breath-controls)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: क्रिया (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सर्वपापापनुक्त्ये: for removal of all sins
• सर्वपापापनुक्त्ये: सम्प्रदान (Purpose/Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वपाप + अपनुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; सर्वपापानाम् अपनुक्त्यै (for the removal of all sins)

• ओङ्काराभियुतम्: accompanied by Oṃ
• ओङ्काराभियुतम्: कर्मविशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ओङ्कार + अभियुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ओङ्कारेण अभियुतम् (accompanied with Oṃ)

• सोमसलिलप्रशनात्: from drinking Soma-water
• सोमसलिलप्रशनात्: अपादान (Source/Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम + सलिल + प्रशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; सोमसलिलस्य प्रशनात् (from drinking Soma-water)

• शुचिः: pure
• शुचिः: कर्तृविशेषण (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Breath regulation and Oṁ-centered practice purify and remove sin, preparing the mind for higher realization.

Vedantic Theme: Prāṇa-nirodha leading to antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; Oṁ as praṇava—symbol of Brahman and gateway to contemplation.

Application: Practice measured prāṇāyāma (within capacity and safety), integrate Oṁ-japa, and maintain ritual sipping/ācamana as mindfulness of purity and intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/meditation space (home altar or tīrtha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (prayāścitta methods: japa, homa, sandhyā, Rudra-japa)

Characters & Entities

• Om (Oṅkāra)
• Soma (as sacred water)

FAQs

What is the importance of pranayama in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents prāṇāyāma as a direct means of pāpa-kṣaya (reduction/removal of sins), prescribing a disciplined count (one hundred) as a purificatory observance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing purification through breath-control and Oṁ-linked sipping of sanctified water, it frames inner and outer purity as essential preparation for dharmic living—supporting a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a consistent, measured prāṇāyāma practice and pair daily rituals (like ācamana or mindful sipping of water) with Oṁ for mental clarity, restraint, and ethical self-correction.