Shloka 18

Ṛtucaryā, Āhāra–Aushadha Prayoga, Viṣa-haraṇa, and Mantra Procedures

Devanagari script

पञ्चरक्तानि पुष्पाणि पृथग्जात्या समालभेत् / कुङ्कुमेन समायुक्तमात्मरक्तसमन्वितम्

Transliteration

pañcaraktāni puṣpāṇi pṛthagjātyā samālabhet / kuṅkumena samāyuktamātmaraktasamanvitam

Translation

Deve-se obter cinco flores vermelhas, cada uma de espécie diferente, e oferecê-las—tornadas fragrantes e auspiciosas com kuṅkuma (açafrão)—junto com a própria substância vermelha de oferenda sagrada.

Word by Word

• पञ्चरक्तानि: five red
• पञ्चरक्तानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + रक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; द्विगु-समासः ‘पञ्च (संख्या) + रक्तानि’ = ‘five red (ones)’

• पुष्पाणि: flowers
• पुष्पाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• पृथक्: separately
• पृथक्: Modifier (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; भेदार्थक क्रियाविशेषण (separately)

• जात्या: by species/type
• जात्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जाति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• समालभेत्: should take/collect
• समालभेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; उपसर्गः सम्-आ-

• कुङ्कुमेन: with saffron/vermilion
• कुङ्कुमेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुङ्कुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• समायुक्तम्: combined
• समायुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-युज् (धातु) → समायुक्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘joined/combined’

• आत्मरक्तसमन्वितम्: mixed with one’s own blood
• आत्मरक्तसमन्वितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘समन्वित’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘आत्मनः रक्तेन समन्वितम्’

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy through precise dravya-saṅgraha (materials), color symbolism (red), and intentional offering.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā uses form, color, and fragrance to steady mind (citta-ekāgratā) and channel intention.

Application: When performing pūjā or sanctioned rites, follow material specifications carefully; use offerings mindfully rather than mechanically.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.182 (sequence of ritual/ābhicārika preparations involving flowers, pigments, and applications)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of offering five red flowers in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes a specific upacāra (worship offering): five red flowers of different varieties, indicating a regulated, intention-filled ritual act rather than a casual offering.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ritual discipline (ācāra)?

It demonstrates the text’s emphasis on precise materials and method—distinct flower types and saffron admixture—reflecting āgamic/vaidika-style correctness in worship that supports broader dharma and rite-performance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing pūjā or related observances, use clean, intentional offerings (e.g., red flowers and kumkuma as appropriate) and follow a consistent, respectful procedure rather than improvising carelessly.