Shloka 68

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

एषां त्रिरात्रमभ्यासादेकैकं स्याद्यथाक्रमात् / तुलापुरुष इत्येष ज्ञेयः पञ्चदशाहिकः

Transliteration

eṣāṃ trirātramabhyāsādekaikaṃ syādyathākramāt / tulāpuruṣa ityeṣa jñeyaḥ pañcadaśāhikaḥ

Translation

ఇవన్నీ ఒక్కొక్కటి మూడు రాత్రులు చొప్పున క్రమంగా అభ్యసిస్తే, ‘తులాపురుష’ అని పిలువబడే ఈ పదిహేను రోజుల వ్రతమని తెలుసుకోవాలి।

Word by Word

• एषाम्: of these
• एषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन — genitive plural

• त्रिरात्रम्: three nights (a three-night period)
• त्रिरात्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + रात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular; द्विगु-समास

• अभ्यासात्: from practice / by repetition
• अभ्यासात्: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन — ablative singular

• एकैकम्: each one (each item)
• एकैकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक-एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; ‘one each’

• स्यात्: should be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• यथाक्रमात्: in order / successively
• यथाक्रमात्: Adhikarana (Manner/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्यय (adverbial) — ‘in due order’

• तुलापुरुषः: (the rite called) Tulāpuruṣa
• तुलापुरुषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुला (प्रातिपदिक) + पुरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘tulāyāḥ puruṣaḥ’)

• इति: thus / called
• इति: Sambandha (Marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• एषः: this
• एषः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular

• ज्ञेयः: should be known
• ज्ञेयः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया-भाव)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) + यत् (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (gerundive/obligatory), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — ‘to be known’

• पञ्चदशाहिकः: lasting fifteen days
• पञ्चदशाहिकः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चदश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अहिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — nominative singular; विशेषण of एषः; तत्पुरुष (‘pañcadaśa-ahaḥ’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prāyaścitta is effective when performed in correct sequence, duration, and measure (krama-niyama).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-niyama: ordered action refines the mind and reduces saṃskāra turbulence.

Application: When undertaking vows, keep clear scheduling (three nights each step), maintain consistency, and complete the full cycle without breaks.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105.67 (preceding kṛcchra items); Garuda Purana 1.105.69-71 (related lunar vow and piṇḍa regulation)

FAQs

What is the importance of Tulāpuruṣa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Tulāpuruṣa as a structured, time-bound observance: performed in sequence, with each component practiced for three nights, totaling fifteen days—highlighting disciplined ritual order and continuity.

How does this verse relate to death rituals and śrāddha practice?

In Garuda Purana’s śrāddha–dāna context, it emphasizes that certain rites are not isolated acts but a prescribed sequence carried out over fixed durations, supporting the intended ritual efficacy for ancestral and post-death merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow tradition with clarity: if undertaking a vow or memorial charity, keep the sequence and duration consistent, and prioritize sincere, orderly observance over rushed or fragmented performance.