Shloka 5

Purification of Substances (Dravya-Śuddhi) and Rules of Ācamana

Devanagari script

भस्मक्षेपाद्विशुद्धिः स्याद्भूशुद्धिर्माजनादिना / त्रपुसीसकताम्राणां क्षाराम्लोदकवारिभिः

Transliteration

bhasmakṣepādviśuddhiḥ syādbhūśuddhirmājanādinā / trapusīsakatāmrāṇāṃ kṣārāmlodakavāribhiḥ

Translation

భస్మము చల్లుట/లేపుట వలన విశుద్ధి కలుగును; భూమి శుద్ధి ఊడ్చుట మొదలైన క్రియలచేత జరుగును. టిన్, సీసము, తామ్రము పాత్రలు క్షారజలము, ఆమ్లజలము మరియు సాధారణ జలముతో కడిగితే శుద్ధమగును.

Word by Word

• भस्मक्षेपात्: from/by throwing (sprinkling) ash
• भस्मक्षेपात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्म + क्षेप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन — Ablative singular

• विशुद्धिः: complete purification
• विशुद्धिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विशुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — Nominative singular

• स्यात्: would be/is to be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — Optative 3rd sg

• भूशुद्धिः: purification of the ground
• भूशुद्धिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू + शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — Nominative singular

• माजनादिना: by sweeping etc.
• माजनादिना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माजन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — Instrumental singular

• त्रपुसीसकताम्राणाम्: of tin, lead, and copper
• त्रपुसीसकताम्राणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रपु + सीसक + ताम्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार/द्वन्द्व), षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन — Genitive plural

• क्षाराम्लोदकवारिभिः: with alkaline and sour waters
• क्षाराम्लोदकवारिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षार + अम्ल + उदक + वारि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार/द्वन्द्व), तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन — Instrumental plural

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ash purifies by application/sprinkling; ground is purified by sweeping/cleaning; tin/lead/copper vessels are purified by alkaline, acidic, and plain water washes.

Vedantic Theme: External order (bahir-śauca) supports inner clarity; dharma is expressed through careful, context-sensitive action.

Application: Use ash (or equivalent cleansing agent) for certain impurities; keep floors/ritual ground clean by sweeping; clean metalware with appropriate solutions (alkaline/acidic) then rinse.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household/ritual ground (bhūmi) and utensil area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.97 (object and space purification rules)

FAQs

What is the importance of ritual purity (śauca) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats purity as a practical dharmic discipline, prescribing specific methods (ash, sweeping, and washing solutions) so that worship, offerings, and daily rites are performed in a ritually fit condition.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing śauca as part of right conduct (ācāra), it supports the broader Garuḍa Purāṇa teaching that disciplined living and correct observances contribute to auspicious outcomes after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain cleanliness in worship spaces (sweeping/cleaning) and clean metal utensils appropriately (thorough washing; traditional practice may include mild alkaline/acidic rinses), keeping the intent of purity and care in daily rituals.