Shloka 12

Tithi-Vrata Vidhāna: Śikhī-vrata (Pratipadā), Tṛtīyā Devī/Śrīdhara rites, Gaṇeśa Caturthī Mantra-Nyāsa, and Nāga Pañcamī

Devanagari script

वर्षद्वये समाप्तिश्च निर्विघ्नादिं समाप्नुयात् / गः स्वाहा मूलमन्त्रो ऽयं प्रणवेन समन्वितः

Transliteration

varṣadvaye samāptiśca nirvighnādiṃ samāpnuyāt / gaḥ svāhā mūlamantro 'yaṃ praṇavena samanvitaḥ

Translation

Dalam tempoh dua tahun, seseorang hendaklah mencapai penyempurnaan dan menunaikan upacara yang bermula dengan penyingkiran halangan tanpa gangguan. Inilah mantra-akar “gaḥ svāhā”, dan hendaklah digunakan bersama praṇava (Oṁ).

Word by Word

• varṣa-dvaye: in two years / after two years
• varṣa-dvaye: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + dvi (संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; द्विगु-समासः (द्वे वर्षे)

• samāptiḥ: completion, conclusion
• samāptiḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samāpti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• nirvighna-ādim: freedom from obstacles and the like (results)
• nirvighna-ādim: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirvighna (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः ('obstacle-free etc.')

• samāpnuyāt: should attain
• samāpnuyāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √āp (धातु) + सम् उपसर्ग
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• gaḥ: the syllable “gaḥ”
• gaḥ: Sambandha (Mantra element/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ga (अक्षर/बीज; प्रातिपदिकवत्)
• Form: मन्त्राक्षरम् (mantric syllable), अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः

• svāhā: svāhā
• svāhā: Sambandha (Mantra element/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svāhā (अव्यय)
• Form: मन्त्र-समाप्ति-निपातः (mantric exclamation)

• mūla-mantraḥ: the root mantra
• mūla-mantraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; समासः (mūlaḥ mantraḥ)

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karta (Apposition/समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• praṇavena: with the praṇava (Oṃ)
• praṇavena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम्

• samanvitaḥ: accompanied/combined (with)
• samanvitaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samanvita (प्रातिपदिक; √i + सम् + अनु उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (mūla-mantraḥ)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sustained observance yields completion; mantra (mūla-mantra) with Oṁ functions as a tool for obstacle-removal and rite-siddhi.

Vedantic Theme: Praṇava as the universal sacred sound; mantra as upāya aligning individual effort with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).

Application: Maintain long-term discipline; use mantra-japa with Oṁ as prescribed; track observance to completion rather than seeking quick results.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual continuum over time (two-year observance)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: nirvighna-kara rites; mantra-vidhi sections where praṇava is prefixed; long-duration vratas with stated phala

FAQs

What is the importance of the mūla-mantra “gaḥ svāhā” in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents “gaḥ svāhā,” joined with Oṁ, as a root-mantra associated with attaining successful completion of rites, especially those aimed at removing impediments (nirvighna).

How does this verse relate to the path of the soul described in the Garuda Purana?

While not describing the after-death journey directly, it supports the ritual framework the text emphasizes—mantra and correct observance are portrayed as means to ensure rites are completed properly, which is repeatedly linked to auspicious outcomes for the departed and the living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use sacred practice with clarity and discipline: begin important religious observances with an obstacle-removal intention and anchor the practice with Oṁ, focusing on consistency until the intended rite is completed.