Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

ततो मध्याह्नसमये स्नानार्थं मृदमाहरेत् / पुष्पाक्षतांस्तिलकुशान् गोमयं शुद्धमेव च

Transliteration

tato madhyāhnasamaye snānārthaṃ mṛdamāharet / puṣpākṣatāṃstilakuśān gomayaṃ śuddhameva ca

Translation

ต่อมาในเวลาเที่ยง พึงนำดินสะอาดสำหรับชำระกายในการอาบน้ำ; พร้อมทั้งดอกไม้ อักษตะ (ข้าวสารไม่แตก) งา หญ้ากุศะ และมูลโคอันบริสุทธิ์ด้วย।

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्ययम् (adverb)

• मध्याह्नसमये: at midday time
• मध्याह्नसमये: Adhikarana (Location/Time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्याह्न + समय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम् (masculine), सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (locative), एकवचनम् (singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः ('at the time of midday')

• स्नानार्थम्: for bathing
• स्नानार्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम् (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (accusative), एकवचनम् (singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः; प्रयोजनार्थे (accusative of purpose)

• मृदम्: clay/earth
• मृदम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गम् (feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (accusative), एकवचनम् (singular)

• आहरेत्: should bring
• आहरेत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचनम् (singular)

• पुष्पाक्षतान्: flowers and akṣata (unbroken rice)
• पुष्पाक्षतान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्प + अक्षत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम् (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (accusative), बहुवचनम् (plural); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः ('flowers and unbroken rice-grains')

• तिलकुशान्: sesame and kuśa grass
• तिलकुशान्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल + कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम् (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (accusative), बहुवचनम् (plural); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः ('sesame and kuśa grass')

• गोमयम्: cow-dung
• गोमयम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम् (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (accusative), एकवचनम् (singular); तत्पुरुष-समासः ('cow-dung')

• शुद्धम्: pure
• शुद्धम्: Karma (Object-Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम् (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (accusative), एकवचनम् (singular); विशेषणम् (qualifying गोमयम्)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्ययम् (emphasis)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual purity is supported by prescribed pure substances gathered at the proper time (midday) for bathing and rites.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥ-śuddhi supported by bāhya-śuddhi: outer discipline as an aid to inner steadiness (sattva).

Application: Prepare bathing/ritual items in advance: clean earth/clay, flowers, akṣata, sesame, kuśa, and purified cow-dung for sanctifying space; observe timing and cleanliness standards.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.39–40 (snāna places; cleansing-earth measures)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of using mṛdā (earth) and gomaya (cow-dung) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse lists them as standard śauca (purity) supports—materials traditionally regarded as cleansing and fit for preparing the body and space for religious acts like bathing and offerings.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

Although framed as daily/ritual purity guidance, such purity items (akṣata, tila, kuśa, gomaya) are also commonly employed when preparing for śrāddha and other rites connected to departed ancestors, emphasizing cleanliness and ritual readiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain cleanliness and intentional preparation before prayer or ancestral rites; keep simple, pure ritual items ready (clean water, a clean space, and traditional substitutes where appropriate) to uphold discipline and reverence.