Shloka 11

Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)

Devanagari script

तस्मिन्नुपवसेदह्नि विप्रांश्चेव निमन्त्रयेत् / कुलविद्यातपोयुक्तान् साधुशीलसमन्वितान्

Transliteration

tasminnupavasedahni viprāṃśceva nimantrayet / kulavidyātapoyuktān sādhuśīlasamanvitān

Translation

Pada hari itu hendaklah berpuasa (upavāsa) dan menjemput para brāhmaṇa—yang berketurunan mulia, berilmu dan bertapa, serta berakhlak suci dan berbudi luhur.

Word by Word

• तस्मिन्: on that (occasion)
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम—'in that'

• उपवसेत्: should fast
• उपवसेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप√वस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अह्नि: on the day
• अह्नि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time-location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• विप्रान्: Brahmins
• विप्रान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक—'and'

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण—'indeed/only'

• निमन्त्रयेत्: should invite
• निमन्त्रयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कुल-विद्या-तपो-युक्तान्: endowed with lineage, learning, and austerity
• कुल-विद्या-तपो-युक्तान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुल + विद्या + तपस् + युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—कुल/विद्या/तपः-युक्त (endowed with good family, learning, and austerity)

• साधु-शील-समन्वितान्: possessed of virtue and good character
• साधु-शील-समन्वितान्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: साधु + शील + समन्वित (कृदन्त; सम्√अन्वि/सम्√इ धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण—साधुत्वशीलसमन्वित (possessed of good conduct and character)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vainateya)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: tad-ahani (on that ritual day) with upavāsa and brāhmaṇa-nimantraṇa as preparatory aṅgas

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pātra-śuddhi and saṃyama: the efficacy of śrāddha depends on self-restraint and honoring qualified brāhmaṇas.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as citta-śuddhi: disciplined action and reverence purify the mind and support higher devotion/knowledge.

Application: Observe a simple fast or restraint on ritual days; invite/serve ethically grounded, learned persons (or support genuine spiritual/charitable institutions) rather than treating rites as mere formality.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (gṛhya)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa/Śrāddha sections: emphasis on pātra (worthy brāhmaṇa), śauca, and upavāsa as śrāddha-aṅga

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇas
• Śrāddha (implied)
• Upavāsa (fasting)

FAQs

What is the importance of fasting (upavāsa) in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse frames fasting as a preparatory act of purity and restraint performed on the ritual day, supporting the sanctity of śrāddha-related observances.

How does this verse guide the proper performance of śrāddha?

It emphasizes inviting qualified brāhmaṇas—those with learning, austerity, and virtuous conduct—indicating that the merit of the rite depends on the worthiness and character of the invitees.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe discipline on important ritual days (simple fasting or moderation) and prioritize integrity and learning when seeking religious guidance, rather than mere formality.