Shloka 10

Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)

Devanagari script

पुनरप्यर्चयेद्विष्णुं यमं कुसुमचन्दनैः / धूपदीपैः सनैवेद्यैर्भक्ष्यभोज्यसमन्वितैः

Transliteration

punarapyarcayedviṣṇuṃ yamaṃ kusumacandanaiḥ / dhūpadīpaiḥ sanaivedyairbhakṣyabhojyasamanvitaiḥ

Translation

पुनरपि विष्णुं यमं च कुसुमचन्दनैः। धूपदीपैः स नैवेद्यैर्भक्ष्यभोज्यसमन्वितैः समर्चयेत्॥

Word by Word

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण—'again'

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात—'also/indeed'

• अर्चयेत्: should worship
• अर्चयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विष्णुम्: Vishnu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• यमम्: Yama
• यमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कुसुम-चन्दनैः: with flowers and sandalwood
• कुसुम-चन्दनैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुसुम + चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहारद्वन्द्व), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; 'with flowers and sandal(paste)'

• धूप-दीपैः: with incense and lamps
• धूप-दीपैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप + दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; 'with incense and lamps'

• स-नैवेद्यैः: with food-offerings
• स-नैवेद्यैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैवेद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; अव्ययीभाव—'स' (सह/with) + नैवेद्यैः = 'with offerings (naivedya)'

• भक्ष्य-भोज्य-समन्वितैः: accompanied by snacks and meals
• भक्ष्य-भोज्य-समन्वितैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्ष्य + भोज्य + समन्वित (कृदन्त; सम्√अन्वि/सम्√इ धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (साधारणविशेषण), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; विशेषण—भक्ष्यभोज्यैः समन्वित (accompanied with eatables and foods)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra, describing proper rites)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Sapindana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: After prior offerings; concluding/reiterated arcana with dhūpa-dīpa-naivedya

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Repeated worship (punar-arcana) with upacāras expresses sustained devotion and reverence; offering food (naivedya) sacralizes nourishment and generosity within death-rites.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-arpana-buddhi: transforming ordinary substances (food, fragrance, light) into offerings, cultivating surrender and purity.

Application: After prior steps, again worship Viṣṇu and Yama with flowers, sandal paste, incense, lamps, and naivedya including bhakṣya and bhojya—complete the rite with hospitality and sanctity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-altar/household shrine

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.44: pūjā upacāras and concluding worship in śrāddha sequence

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Yama

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping Vishnu and Yama together in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse prescribes honoring both Vishnu (protector and liberator) and Yama (administrator of dharma and the path of the departed), indicating that post-death rites combine devotion with orderly dharmic offerings.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

By instructing repeated worship with naivedya, lamps, and incense, it reflects the ritual support offered to the departed and the dharmic framework governed by Yama, while seeking Vishnu’s grace for auspicious passage.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

When performing śrāddha or remembrance rites, maintain sincerity and completeness in offerings (light, fragrance, and food), and keep the focus on dharma, gratitude, and prayer for the departed’s welfare.