Shloka 7

Chandas-Nirṇaya: Āpīḍa to Gāthā—Pāda, Gaṇa, and Special Substitutions

Devanagari script

तृतीर्ये ऽघ्रौ विशेषश्च वृत्तं स्यान्नौ सनौ नसौ

Transliteration

tṛtīrye 'ghrau viśeṣaśca vṛttaṃ syānnau sanau nasau

Translation

تیسرے وِن्यास میں جہاں آخر ‘-اَغھراو’ ہو وہاں خاص قاعدہ ہے—وہاں وِرت ‘ناؤ’ بن جاتا ہے؛ اسی طرح موقع کے مطابق ‘سَناؤ’ اور ‘نَساؤ’ کی صورتیں بھی حاصل ہوتی ہیں۔

Word by Word

• tṛtīye: in the third (pāda)
• tṛtīye: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛtīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक; सप्तमी एकवचन; क्रमवाचक-विशेषण

• aghrau: the two ‘aghra’
• aghrau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aghra (प्रातिपदिक; छन्दः-परिभाषा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा द्विवचन

• viśeṣaḥ: a special feature
• viśeṣaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• vṛttam: metre-pattern (vṛtta)
• vṛttam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vṛtta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• syāt: would be/is to be
• syāt: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √as (अस्)
• Form: विधिलिङ्; प्रथमपुरुष; एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• nau: the two ‘na’
• nau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: na (प्रातिपदिक; छन्दः-गण-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा द्विवचन

• sanau: the two ‘sana’
• sanau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sana (प्रातिपदिक; छन्दः-गण-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा द्विवचन

• nasau: the two ‘nasa’
• nasau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nasa (प्रातिपदिक; छन्दः-गण-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा द्विवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Apavāda (exception) in metrical/phonological formation: when ending is ‘-ghrau’, substitute/derive ‘nau’, and related outputs ‘sanau’, ‘nasau’.

Vedantic Theme: Order through rule-governed language (śabda-niyama); precision as a form of tapas in learning.

Application: When scanning/composing, apply the special substitution so the third formation conforms to the intended gaṇa pattern.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.211.6 (pāda-wise gaṇa placement context); Garuda Purana 1.211.8 (third pāda instructions continue)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of correct Sanskrit forms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that precise grammatical forms (like nau/sanau/nasau) matter for accurate recitation and transmission, which is especially valued when the text is used in ritual contexts.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

While not describing the afterlife directly, it supports the broader ritual use of the Purana by emphasizing correct wording—important when verses are chanted during śrāddha, pāṭha, or other rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use a reliable edition with IAST and consult a teacher or vetted commentary so pronunciation and forms remain consistent when studying or reciting the Garuda Purana.