Shloka 10

Āhnika-Dharma: Dawn Purification, Sandhyā-Upāsanā, Tarpana, Pañca-Mahāyajñas, and Aśauca Rules

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मं तु मार्जनं मन्त्रैः कुशैः सोदकबिन्दुभिः / आग्रेयं भस्मनाऽपादमस्तकाद्देहधूननम्

Transliteration

brāhmaṃ tu mārjanaṃ mantraiḥ kuśaiḥ sodakabindubhiḥ / āgreyaṃ bhasmanā'pādamastakāddehadhūnanam

Translation

బ్రాహ్మ స్నానం—మంత్రాలు, కుశలు, జలబిందువులతో మార్జనం (శుద్ధి); ఆగ్నేయ స్నానం—భస్మంతో పాదం నుండి మస్తకం వరకు దేహాన్ని ధూననం/శోధనం చేయడం।

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मम्: Brāhma (type)
• ब्राह्मम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; 'Brāhma' (type)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषार्थक-निपात

• मार्जनम्: cleansing/wiping
• मार्जनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्जन (प्रातिपदिक; √मृज्, ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• कुशैः: with kuśa grass
• कुशैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• स-उदक-बिन्दुभिः: with drops of water
• स-उदक-बिन्दुभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक) + बिन्दु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—उदकबिन्दु (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'drops of water') + स (सह/युक्त) उपपद; अर्थः 'with water-drops'

• आग्नेयम्: Āgneya (type)
• आग्नेयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आग्नेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भस्मना: with ash
• भस्मना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• आ-पाद-मस्तकात्: from the feet up to the head
• आ-पाद-मस्तकात्: Adhikarana (Extent/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ (अव्यय) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + मस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; पञ्चमी-अर्थे (ablatival range): 'from foot up to head' (lit. up to head from foot)

• देहधूननम्: shaking/cleansing of the body
• देहधूननम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह (प्रातिपदिक) + धूनन (प्रातिपदिक; √धू, ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—देहस्य धूननम्

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Two modalities of purification: mantric sprinkling/cleansing (Brāhma) and ash-based cleansing (Āgneya) from feet to head.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) and tejas (agni/ash) as purifiers; disciplined embodiment supports higher contemplation.

Application: Before worship: perform ācamana/mārjana with mantra and kuśa (or a clean substitute), and apply a small amount of sacred ash (if in one’s tradition) with mindful intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (snāna-sthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.9 (sixfold snāna list)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of Brahma-type (brāhma) purification in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines brāhma purification as mantra-based cleansing using kuśa grass and water-drops, presenting it as a sanctioned method for restoring ritual purity.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals and purity?

Garuda Purana frequently frames post-death and daily observances around śauca (purity); here it specifies concrete purification techniques that support correct ritual conduct in sensitive contexts like rites and mourning.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use mantra-recitation with clean water (and traditional kuśa where available) for purification, and understand vibhūti/ash application as a symbolic discipline of purity and reverence before religious duties.