Shloka 1

Gāyatrī–Sandhyā Upāsanā: Śuddhi, Nyāsa, and Japa-Viniyoga

Devanagari script

नाम षोडशोत्तरद्विशततमो ऽध्यायः ब्रह्मोवाच / अपवित्रः पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतो ऽपि वा

Transliteration

nāma ṣoḍaśottaradviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ brahmovāca / apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṃ gato 'pi vā

Translation

برہما نے کہا— چاہے انسان ناپاک ہو یا پاک، یا کسی بھی حالت میں پہنچ چکا ہو،

Word by Word

• apavitraḥ: Impure
• apavitraḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apavitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• pavitraḥ: Pure
• pavitraḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pavitra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• vā: Or
• vā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• sarvāvasthām: All states/conditions
• sarvāvasthām: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarvāvasthā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• gataḥ: Gone to/Situated in
• gataḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: Past Passive Participle (kta), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• api: Even/Also
• api: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

Speaker

Brahmā

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Spiritual recourse is not obstructed by external impurity or circumstance; remembrance/invocation has purifying efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi prioritized over external states; nāma/smṛti as purifier accessible to all conditions.

Application: Do not postpone prayer/recitation due to perceived impurity; use the prescribed mantra as an immediate purifier and stabilizer in any circumstance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: textual preface to a mantra/rite

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana adhyāya 217 likely continues with the well-known ‘apavitraḥ pavitro vā…’ śloka used before pūjā/recitation

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā

FAQs

What is the importance of purity (pavitrata) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse opens a teaching that spiritual recitation and remembrance can be approached regardless of one’s current state of purity, emphasizing inner intent over external limitation.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals and times of impurity?

It indicates that even during difficult states (including ritual impurity often associated with death-related observances), sacred remembrance/mantra-entry is not barred, preparing the ground for rites done for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain remembrance of the Divine and recite approved purification/invocation verses even in imperfect circumstances, while still honoring appropriate dharmic conduct and cleanliness where possible.