Shloka 26

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

अधिवास्य पवित्रं तु त्रिसूत्रेण नवेन वा (च) / वेदिकां वेष्टयित्वा तु आत्मानंम कलशं घृतम्

Transliteration

adhivāsya pavitraṃ tu trisūtreṇa navena vā (ca) / vedikāṃ veṣṭayitvā tu ātmānaṃma kalaśaṃ ghṛtam

Translation

Sesudah mengadhivāsya dan mensucikan pavitra (benang suci), hendaklah ia diikat dengan tali tiga untai atau dengan tali yang baharu; kemudian, setelah melilit vedikā (pelantar altar), hendaklah juga melilit/menyucikan diri sendiri, kalaśa, dan ghṛta (minyak sapi jernih).

Word by Word

• अधिवास्य: having consecrated
• अधिवास्य: Kriya (Gerund; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अधि + वस् (धातु) + ल्यप् (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त अव्यय (ल्यप्): ‘अधिवास्य’ = अधिवासयित्वा/अधिवासं कृत्वा (having consecrated/caused to dwell)

• पवित्रम्: the sacred thread/ritual purifier
• पवित्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/अन्वयार्थक निपात (but/indeed)

• त्रिसूत्रेण: with a three-stranded thread
• त्रिसूत्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (त्रि+सूत्र); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• नवेन: new
• नवेन: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; ‘new’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Option)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (and) [पाठान्तर/optional]

• वेदिकाम्: the altar/platform
• वेदिकाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• वेष्टयित्वा: having wrapped
• वेष्टयित्वा: Kriya (Gerund; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वेष्ट् (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund): ‘having wrapped/encircled’

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; discourse particle

• आत्मानम्: oneself
• आत्मानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• कलशम्: the pot
• कलशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• घृतम्: ghee
• घृतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purity is maintained through consecrated markers (pavitra) applied to person, altar, and substances.

Vedantic Theme: External purity supports internal sattva; disciplined karma becomes a vehicle for inner refinement.

Application: Treat preparation as part of worship: cleanse, dedicate, and ‘set apart’ tools and self before any sacred/serious undertaking.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: altar/vedi space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43 (pavitra/adhivasa and wrapping of vedi and articles)

FAQs

What is the importance of pavitra (sacred thread) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse presents pavitra as a key sanctifying implement that must be ritually consecrated and properly tied, indicating its role in maintaining purity and protection during the rite.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct consecration of the altar, vessel, and offerings, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that orderly, dharmic rites support auspicious outcomes connected with life, death, and post-death observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform rituals with cleanliness, fresh materials, and careful procedure—treating the altar space, vessels, and offerings as sacred—so the practice remains disciplined and reverent.