Shloka 45

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

प्राणायामत्रयं कुर्यात्खरयानोष्ट्रयानगः / नग्नः स्नात्वा च सुप्त्वा च गत्वा चैव दिवा स्त्रियम्

prāṇāyāmatrayaṃ kuryātkharayānoṣṭrayānagaḥ / nagnaḥ snātvā ca suptvā ca gatvā caiva divā striyam

खरयानोष्ट्रयानगः प्राणायामत्रयं कुर्यात्। नग्नः स्नात्वा च सुप्त्वा च दिवा स्त्रियम् गत्वा च एव॥

prāṇāyāma-trayamthree breath-controls
prāṇāyāma-trayam:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootprāṇāyāma (प्रातिपदिक) + traya (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘प्राणायामानां त्रयम्’
kuryātshould do
kuryāt:
Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√kṛ (कृ) (धातु)
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्
khara-yāna-uṣṭra-yāna-gaḥone who rides on a donkey or camel
khara-yāna-uṣṭra-yāna-gaḥ:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootkhara (प्रातिपदिक) + yāna (प्रातिपदिक) + uṣṭra (प्रातिपदिक) + yāna (प्रातिपदिक) + ga (प्रातिपदिक; √gam गम् + ड)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमासः (खरयान + उष्ट्रयान) ततः ‘-ग’ प्रत्ययेन ‘याने गच्छति/यानेन याति’
nagnaḥnaked
nagnaḥ:
Karta (Subject complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootnagna (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (कर्तृविशेषण)
snātvāhaving bathed
snātvā:
Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
TypeVerb
Root√snā (स्ना) (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त; अर्थः ‘स्नात्वा’
caand
ca:
Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चयबोधक निपात
suptvāhaving slept
suptvā:
Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
TypeVerb
Root√svap (स्वप्) (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त; अर्थः ‘सुप्त्वा’
caand
ca:
Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चयबोधक निपात
gatvāhaving gone
gatvā:
Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
TypeVerb
Root√gam (गम्) (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त; अर्थः ‘गत्वा’
caand
ca:
Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootca (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चयबोधक निपात
evaindeed/just
eva:
Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rooteva (अव्यय)
Formअवधारणार्थक निपात (emphatic particle)
divāby day
divā:
Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootdivā (अव्यय)
Formकालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time: by day)
striyama woman
striyam:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootstrī (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instructing Garuḍa/Vinata-putra)

Concept: Threefold prāṇāyāma functions as prāyaścitta/śauca after certain acts considered polluting or socially improper.

Vedantic Theme: Prāṇa-niyama supports mind-clarity; outer śauca paired with inner śuddhi via regulated breath.

Application: Use brief, structured breath practice as a corrective ‘reset’ after impure/unstable states; maintain awareness of context-appropriate conduct.

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (purificatory acts; prāṇāyāma as expiation)

FAQs

This verse presents prāṇāyāma as an immediate inner purification practice (śauca/prāyaścitta) to restore ritual fitness after certain actions and bodily states.

Rather than describing afterlife scenes, it addresses conduct (ācāra): actions that disturb ritual purity are balanced by disciplined breath-control, reinforcing dharmic self-regulation that supports good karma.

Use brief, mindful breath regulation as a reset after sleep or bodily agitation, and treat it as a reminder to maintain self-discipline and cleanliness before spiritual practice.