Shloka 5

Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)

Devanagari script

वेतनं यत् क्षिपेदप्सु गृह्याग्निश्च चतुष्पथे / पात्राणिनिर्दहेदग्नौ साग्निके पापकर्मणि

Transliteration

vetanaṃ yat kṣipedapsu gṛhyāgniśca catuṣpathe / pātrāṇinirdahedagnau sāgnike pāpakarmaṇi

Translation

వేతనాన్ని నీటిలో విసిరివేయుట, గృహ్యాగ్నిని చతుష్పథమున ఉంచుట, లేదా పాత్రాదులను అగ్నిలో దహించుట—ఇది ‘సాగ్నిక’ పాపకర్మ; పాపఫలప్రదము।

Word by Word

• vetanam: wages/livelihood (or ritual equipment)
• vetanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vetana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• yat: which/whatever
• yat: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• kṣipet: should throw/cast
• kṣipet: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṣip (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi Lin (Optative), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• apsu: in the waters
• apsu: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ap (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• gṛhyāgniḥ: domestic fire
• gṛhyāgniḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म) implied
• Type: Noun
• Root: gṛhyāgni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• catuṣpathe: at the crossroads
• catuṣpathe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: catuṣpatha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• pātrāṇi: vessels/utensils
• pātrāṇi: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pātra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• nirdahet: should burn completely
• nirdahet: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nirdah (ni + dah) (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi Lin (Optative), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person, Singular

• agnau: in fire
• agnau: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• sāgnike: one who maintained a sacred fire
• sāgnike: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāgnika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• pāpakarmaṇi: in the case of the sinner
• pāpakarmaṇi: Nimitta (Cause/Context) or Sati Saptami
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāpakarman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Misuse/disrespect of sacred resources (wages, gṛhyāgni, ritual vessels) constitutes pāpa, especially ‘agnika’ (fire-related) fault.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as ritual-ethical order; sanctity of agni as mediator of offerings and domestic dharma.

Application: Handle sacred fire and ritual implements with reverence; avoid wasteful/destructive acts; treat earnings responsibly (dāna, yajña, family support) rather than contemptuous disposal.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: domestic/liminal public space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śuddhi and gṛhya-related prohibitions (topic-parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of Agni-related conduct in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats disrespect or misuse of sacred fire and ritual items as a specific class of sin (agnika pāpa), emphasizing that ritual order and reverence for Agni safeguard dharma and reduce negative karmic outcomes.

How does this verse explain the consequences of wrongful actions after death?

By labeling these behaviors as pāpa-karmas, the text places them among deeds that generate demerit, which in the Garuda Purana framework contributes to suffering in the post-death journey and judgment associated with karmic accounting.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sacred/ritual fire and religious utensils with care, avoid frivolous destruction or improper disposal of sanctified items, and handle earnings responsibly rather than wasting them in ways considered dharmically harmful.