Shloka 2

Sandhyā-Upāsanā Vidhi: Prāṇāyāma, Water Purification, Aghāmarpaṇa, Sūrya Worship, Nyāsa, and Gāyatrī Japa

Devanagari script

सप्रणवां सव्याहृतिं गायत्त्रीं शिरसा सह / त्रिः पठेदायतप्रणः प्राणायामः स उच्यते

Transliteration

sapraṇavāṃ savyāhṛtiṃ gāyattrīṃ śirasā saha / triḥ paṭhedāyatapraṇaḥ prāṇāyāmaḥ sa ucyate

Translation

ਪ੍ਰਣਵ (ਓਂ) ਅਤੇ ਵਿਆਹ੍ਰਿਤੀਆਂ ਸਮੇਤ, ਸ਼ਿਰੋਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਨਾਲ ਗਾਇਤਰੀ ਦਾ ਤਿੰਨ ਵਾਰ ਪਾਠ—ਸਾਹ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਕ ਕੇ ਤੇ ਲੰਮਾ ਕਰਕੇ—ਇਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਾਣਾਯਾਮ ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।

Word by Word

• sa-praṇavām: with the praṇava (Om)
• sa-praṇavām: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/सह-भाव) + praṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष/सह-सम्बन्ध (praṇavena saha)

• sa-vyāhṛtim: with the vyāhṛtis (bhūḥ bhuvaḥ svaḥ)
• sa-vyāhṛtim: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (उपसर्ग/सह-भाव) + vyāhṛti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (vyāhṛtibhiḥ saha)

• gāyatrīm: the Gāyatrī (mantra)
• gāyatrīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāyatrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• śirasā: with the head (i.e., with the Śiras formula)
• śirasā: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• saha: together with
• saha: Sambandha (Association/सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (preposition/postposition), सहार्थक

• triḥ: thrice
• triḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: triḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), संख्यावाचक-क्रियाविशेषण

• paṭhet: should recite
• paṭhet: Kriyā (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: paṭh (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• āyata-praṇaḥ: one whose breath is prolonged/controlled
• āyata-praṇaḥ: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: āyata (प्रातिपदिक) + praṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (āyataḥ praṇaḥ yasya)

• prāṇāyāmaḥ: prāṇāyāma (breath-control)
• prāṇāyāmaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāṇāyāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• saḥ: that
• saḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• ucyate: is called
• ucyate: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive), आत्मनेपद

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prāṇāyāma is defined as thrice recitation of praṇava + vyāhṛtis + Gāyatrī with śiras, with controlled, lengthened breath.

Vedantic Theme: Prāṇa-nirodha supporting mantra-japa; discipline of prāṇa steadies mind (manonigraha) for inner clarity.

Application: Practice regulated breathing with mantra: inhale/hold/exhale in a measured way while reciting Oṁ, bhūḥ-bhuvaḥ-svaḥ, Gāyatrī, and the śiras—three rounds.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.36.1 (threefold prāṇāyāma as prerequisite); Garuda Purana 1.36.3 (prāṇāyāma burns faults)

FAQs

What is the importance of prāṇāyāma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines prāṇāyāma as regulated breath integrated with sacred recitation—Gāyatrī with Oṁ, vyāhṛtis, and the Śiras—showing it as a disciplined, mantra-based purificatory practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing inner purification through breath-control and mantra, the verse points to sādhana that refines the mind and prāṇa—foundational for dharmic living and spiritual readiness, which the Purana links to auspicious post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice breath regulation with focused mantra recitation (traditionally Gāyatrī with Oṁ and vyāhṛtis) in a calm, consistent daily routine as a discipline for clarity, restraint, and ritual purity.