Shloka 70

Devanagari script

दर्भतोयेन संस्पृष्टो मन्त्रहीनो ऽपि शुध्यति / प्रागग्रैरुदगग्रैश्च प्रत्यगग्रैरखण्डितैः

Transliteration

darbhatoyena saṃspṛṣṭo mantrahīno 'pi śudhyati / prāgagrairudagagraiśca pratyagagrairakhaṇḍitaiḥ

Translation

दर्भतोयेन संस्पृष्टो मन्त्रहीनोऽपि शुध्यति। प्रागग्रैरुदगग्रैश्च प्रत्यगग्रैरखण्डितैः॥

Word by Word

• दर्भतोयेन: with darbha-water (water with darbha)
• दर्भतोयेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक) + toya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (दर्भस्य तोयम्)

• संस्पृष्टः: touched
• संस्पृष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-√spṛś (स्पृश् धातु) → saṃspṛṣṭa (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; कर्तरि/कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘touched’

• मन्त्रहीनः: devoid of mantra
• मन्त्रहीनः: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक) + hīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मन्त्रेण हीनः = without mantra)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle) अपि—अपवाद/समुच्चयार्थक

• शुध्यति: becomes purified
• शुध्यति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शुध् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• प्रागग्रैः: with east-pointed (darbhas)
• प्रागग्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prāk (अव्यय/दिक्) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (प्राग्-अग्र = east-pointed)

• उदगग्रैः: with north-pointed (darbhas)
• उदगग्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udak/udag (अव्यय/दिक्) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (उदग्-अग्र = north-pointed)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• प्रत्यगग्रैः: with west-pointed (darbhas)
• प्रत्यगग्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratyak (अव्यय/दिक्) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (प्रत्यग्-अग्र = west-pointed)

• अखण्डितैः: unbroken/undamaged
• अखण्डितैः: Karana (Instrument qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a- (नञ्) + khaṇḍita (√khaṇḍ् धातु → क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; नञ्-पूर्वक क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषणम् (अग्रैः इति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śuddhi can be effected through prescribed purificatory substances and correct method, even when mantra-recitation is absent.

Vedantic Theme: External purity supporting internal sattva; upāya (means) adapted to capacity while preserving niyama.

Application: When full liturgy is not possible, prioritize cleanliness and simple sanctioned purifications (water, kuśa/darbha, mindful intention) rather than abandoning practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual purification setting (ācamanīya/prokṣaṇa) with directional orientation of darbha tips

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.69 (darbha use); Garuda Purana 1.48.71 (mantra-knowledge for protection)

FAQs

What is the importance of darbha-water purification in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that contact with water mixed with unbroken darbha grass itself effects purification, even when mantras are not available—highlighting a practical śuddhi method in ritual contexts.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana guidance on death rituals?

It supports the idea that essential ritual purity can be maintained during antyeṣṭi/śrāddha-related actions through darbha-water sprinkling, ensuring rites are not invalidated solely due to missing mantra recitation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

In time-sensitive rites or constrained circumstances, one may prioritize basic ritual cleanliness and traditional śuddhi steps (like darbha-water sprinkling with unbroken tips in prescribed orientations) while still aiming for proper mantra practice when feasible.