Shloka 3

Rambhā-Tṛtīyā Vrata: annual cycle of Devī worship, offerings, and dāna

Devanagari script

कर्पूरादः कृसरदो मल्लिकादन्तकाष्ठकृत् / माघेसुभद्रां कल्हारैर्घृताशो मण्डकप्रदः

Transliteration

karpūrādaḥ kṛsarado mallikādantakāṣṭhakṛt / māghesubhadrāṃ kalhārairghṛtāśo maṇḍakapradaḥ

Translation

கற்பூரம் அர்ப்பணித்து, க்ரிஸர (கிச்சடி) தானம் செய்து, மல்லிகை (மல்லி) தந்தகாஷ்டம் வழங்கி, மாக மாதத்தில் கல்ஹார (நீலத் தாமரை) மலர்களுடன் சுபத்ரையைப் பூஜித்து நற்கொடைகள் அளிப்பவன்; நெய் உண்டு மண்டக இனிப்புகளைத் தானம் செய்பவன் புண்ணியப் பயன் பெறுவான்.

Word by Word

• कर्पूरादः: one who eats camphor (camphor-consuming)
• कर्पूरादः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्पूर + अद (धातु/कृदन्त-आधार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः (कर्पूरम् अदति/अश्नाति इति) — कृदन्त-विशेषण

• कृसरदः: giver of kṛsara (rice dish)
• कृसरदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृसर + दा (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (कृसरं ददाति)

• मल्लिकादन्तकाष्ठकृत्: one who makes a tooth-stick from jasmine
• मल्लिकादन्तकाष्ठकृत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मल्लिका + दन्तकाष्ठ + कृ (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-समासः (मल्लिकया दन्तकाष्ठं करोति)

• माघे: in Māgha (month)
• माघे: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (काल-अधिकरण), एकवचन

• सुभद्राम्: Subhadrā (goddess)
• सुभद्राम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कल्हारैः: with kalhāra (lotus) flowers
• कल्हारैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्हार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• घृताशः: one who eats ghee
• घृताशः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घृत + अश् (धातु/कृदन्त-आधार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः (घृतम् अश्नाति)

• मण्डकप्रदः: giver of maṇḍaka cakes
• मण्डकप्रदः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मण्डक + प्र + दा (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (मण्डकं प्रददाति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Merit accrues through timely offerings and dāna—fragrance (karpūra), nourishment (kṛsara, maṇḍaka), and welfare items (dantakāṣṭha)—performed with auspicious intent.

Vedantic Theme: Puṇya as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi: sattvic giving and restraint (ghṛtāśa) support inner clarity conducive to bhakti/jñāna.

Application: In Māgha, combine worship with charity: offer food to guests/poor, provide hygiene items, and keep offerings sattvic; treat daily necessities as dharmic gifts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: household altar/temple setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.120 (monthly dāna/vrata prescriptions)

FAQs

What is the importance of dāna (charity) in this Garuda Purana verse?

This verse highlights specific purifying gifts—camphor, food, tooth-sticks, lotuses, ghee, and sweets—as concrete acts of dāna that generate auspicious merit (puṇya) when performed with faith, especially in Māgha.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

While not describing the after-death journey directly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that righteous acts and ritual charity strengthen one’s merit, which influences post-death wellbeing and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice intentional giving—offer food, simple daily-use necessities, and devotional items in a sacred season (like Māgha), and pair it with purity of conduct and generosity rather than mere display.