Shloka 19

Devanagari script

चर्चितं कुङ्कुमेनैव हरिद्राचन्दनेन वा / सोपवासः पवित्रन्तु पात्रस्थमधिवासयेत्

Transliteration

carcitaṃ kuṅkumenaiva haridrācandanena vā / sopavāsaḥ pavitrantu pātrasthamadhivāsayet

Translation

కుంకుమముతో గాని, లేక పసుపు-చందనముతో గాని లేపనం చేసి, ఉపవాసంతో, పాత్రలో ఉంచిన పవిత్రాన్ని విధివిధానంగా అధివాసం చేయాలి।

Word by Word

• चर्चितम्: smeared/anointed
• चर्चितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चर्चित (कृदन्त; √चर्च् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; past passive participle used adjectivally

• कुङ्कुमेन: with saffron
• कुङ्कुमेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुङ्कुम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• हरिद्रा-चन्दनेन: with turmeric and sandalwood
• हरिद्रा-चन्दनेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरिद्रा (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात (disjunctive particle)

• स-उपवासः: (one) observing a fast
• स-उपवासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (सह/स- उपवासः); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; adjective meaning 'with fasting'

• पवित्रम्: the sacred thread/amulet (pavitra)
• पवित्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण/विरोधार्थक निपात (but/indeed)

• पात्र-स्थम्: placed in a vessel
• पात्र-स्थम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (कृदन्त; √स्था धातु)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास; 'पात्रे स्थितम्'; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjectival to पवित्रम्

• अधिवासयेत्: should consecrate/infuse (it)
• अधिवासयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वास् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; causative sense 'to cause to dwell/infuse'

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Timing: Prior to main worship/nyāsa; during preparatory consecration (adhivāsana) while observing upavāsa

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External purity (anointing, fragrance) joined with internal discipline (fasting) makes the rite fit for divine indwelling.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a support for upāsanā; dravya-śuddhi and bhāva-śuddhi together.

Application: Before any vow/pujā, combine bodily restraint (light fasting) with careful preparation of offerings; treat consecration as mindful, not mechanical.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (gṛha/maṇḍapa/vedi)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43 (pavitra-vidhi sequence: adhivāsana, dik-nyāsa, mantra-abhiṣeka)

FAQs

What is the importance of consecrating the pavitra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that a pavitra becomes ritually effective through purification and formal consecration—anointing with auspicious substances and sanctifying it in a vessel while observing discipline (fasting).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana framework that correct rites and purity-based observances stabilize and sanctify ritual actions performed for spiritual welfare, especially in contexts connected with samskāras and post-death duties.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred rituals with cleanliness, intentionality, and self-restraint—simple disciplines like fasting (as appropriate) and careful preparation of ritual items are presented as integral to the rite’s sanctity.