Shloka 90

Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi

Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

मरिगन्धाष्टम्यां मरिगन्धं भजस्व तथा सूत्रं स्वगले धारयस्व / दीपस्तंभं सुदिने पूजयस्व तत्सूत्रमेव स्वगले धारयस्व

Transliteration

marigandhāṣṭamyāṃ marigandhaṃ bhajasva tathā sūtraṃ svagale dhārayasva / dīpastaṃbhaṃ sudine pūjayasva tatsūtrameva svagale dhārayasva

Translation

No dia de Marigandhāṣṭamī, venera (a observância chamada) Marigandha e, do mesmo modo, usa o fio sagrado ao teu pescoço. Num dia auspicioso, adora o pilar-lâmpada (dīpa-stambha); e esse mesmo fio, de fato, deve ser usado ao pescoço.

Word by Word

• मरिगन्ध-अष्टम्याम्: on the Marigandha-Aṣṭamī (8th lunar day)
• मरिगन्ध-अष्टम्याम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरिगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + अष्टमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; काल/तिथि-निर्देशे अधिकरणम् (locative of time)

• मरिगन्धम्: marigandha (fragrance/substance)
• मरिगन्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मरिगन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• भजस्व: worship/serve
• भजस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तथा: likewise; also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अन्वयार्थे (adverb/conjunctive: 'also/likewise')

• सूत्रम्: thread; sacred cord
• सूत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• स्वगले: on your neck
• स्वगले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; देश-निर्देशे अधिकरणम् (locative of place)

• धारयस्व: wear; hold; put on
• धारयस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• दीप-स्तम्भम्: lamp-stand; pillar with lamps
• दीप-स्तम्भम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक) + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुदिने: on an auspicious day
• सुदिने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + दिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; काल-अधिकरणम् (locative of time: 'on an auspicious day')

• पूजयस्व: worship; honor
• पूजयस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तत्-सूत्रम्: that very thread
• तत्-सूत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एव: indeed; only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (particle of emphasis)

• स्वगले: on your neck
• स्वगले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + गल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• धारयस्व: wear; keep
• धारयस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the Preta Kanda ritual context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The mind under kaniṣṭhā clings to repetitive external protections (thread, festival prescriptions) as substitutes for inner steadiness and true aim.

Vedantic Theme: Externalism (bahirmukhatā) vs inner orientation (antarmukhatā); ritual without right telos becomes distraction.

Application: Use rituals as supports, not as replacements for ethical discipline and devotion; avoid compulsive repetition driven by fear—seek understanding of purpose (artha) behind observance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.88-89 (series of misdirecting prescriptions); Garuda Purana 3.28.86-87 (contrast with steadiness and Viṣṇu-centered dharma)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of wearing the sūtra (thread) mentioned in this Garuda Purana verse?

This verse presents the sūtra as a ritual marker and protective observance: it is to be worn on the neck in connection with specific sacred days and worship, reinforcing dharmic discipline and ritual safeguarding.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana practices around death rites and the preta context?

In the Preta Kanda’s ritual framework, such observances (specific tithis, lamp worship, and wearing a thread) function as prescribed religious acts that support auspiciousness and protection in rites connected to post-death concerns and merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain disciplined observance on sacred days, perform lamp-worship with sincerity, and treat ritual symbols (like a sacred thread/amulet cord) as reminders of ethical conduct and devotional steadiness.