Shloka 19

Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna

सव्ययज्ञोपवीतेन ब्रह्माद्यास्तृप्तिमान्पुयुः / अपसव्येन तृप्यन्ति पितरो दिविदेवताः

savyayajñopavītena brahmādyāstṛptimānpuyuḥ / apasavyena tṛpyanti pitaro dividevatāḥ

เมื่อสวมยัชโญปวีตแบบสัวยะ (พาดไหล่ซ้าย) พระพรหมและเหล่าเทพย่อมอิ่มเอิบ แต่เมื่อสวมแบบอปสัวยะ (พาดไหล่ขวา) เหล่าปิตฤและเทวดาสวรรค์ที่เกี่ยวเนื่องกับท่านย่อมอิ่มเอิบ.

savya-yajñopavītenawith the sacred thread in the savya position
savya-yajñopavītena:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootsavya (प्रातिपदिक) + yajñopavīta (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (savya-yajñopavīta = sacred thread worn over left shoulder) (Instrumental singular)
brahmādyāḥBrahmā and the others (gods)
brahmādyāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootbrahmā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (brahmā-ādi = Brahmā and others) (Masculine nominative plural)
tṛptimānsatisfied (possessing satisfaction)
tṛptimān:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Roottṛpti (प्रातिपदिक) + matup (मत्वर्थ प्रत्यय)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; मत्वर्थ (possessive adjective: ‘having satisfaction’)
puyuḥmay be satisfied/propitiated (lit. may become pure)
puyuḥ:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√pū (पू, धातु)
Formविधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद (Optative, 3rd pl.; ‘may become purified/propitious’)
apasavyenawith the apasavya position (thread reversed)
apasavyena:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootapasavya (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन (Instrumental singular)
tṛpyantiare satisfied
tṛpyanti:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√tṛp (तृप्, धातु)
Formलट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद (Present, 3rd pl.)
pitaraḥancestors
pitaraḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootpitṛ (पितृ, प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (Masculine nominative plural)
divi-devatāḥthe heavenly deities
divi-devatāḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootdivi (दिव्, प्रातिपदिक/सप्तमी-रूप) + devatā (प्रातिपदिक)
Formस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (divi-devatā = deities in heaven) (Feminine nominative plural)

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

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During śrāddha/tarpaṇa when switching between deva and pitṛ portions

Concept: Ritual orientation (savyopavīta/apasavya) determines the addressee—devas or pitṛs—and thus the rite’s efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as disciplined action; intention must be embodied in correct form (ākāra) to bear proper fruit.

Application: During deva-tarpaṇa/homa keep yajñopavīta in savya; during pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha wear it apasavya; train attention to transitions within rites.

Primary Rasa: shanta

Type: ritual space (śrāddha/tarpaṇa altar)

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha prayoga passages distinguishing deva and pitṛ procedures; Garuda Purana notes on apasavya in pitṛ-kārya

B
Brahma
D
Devas
P
Pitris
Y
Yajnopavita

FAQs

This verse states that the manner of wearing the yajñopavīta determines whom the offering is directed to: savya pleases Brahmā and the Devas, while apasavya is used to satisfy the Pitṛs in ancestral rites.

It gives a procedural marker for Śrāddha/tarpaṇa contexts: apasavya (reverse wearing) signifies that the act is meant for Pitṛs, aligning the ritual intention with the correct recipients.

When performing Deva-kārya (worship for gods) use savya; when performing Pitṛ-kārya (Śrāddha/tarpaṇa for ancestors) use apasavya, following one’s family tradition and guidance of a qualified priest.