Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मं तु मार्जनं मन्त्रैः कुशैः सोदकबिन्दुभिः / आग्रेयं भस्मनाऽपादमस्तकाद्देहधूननम्

Transliteration

brāhmaṃ tu mārjanaṃ mantraiḥ kuśaiḥ sodakabindubhiḥ / āgreyaṃ bhasmanā'pādamastakāddehadhūnanam

Translation

برہمی غسل—منتروں، کُش اور پانی کے قطروں کے ساتھ مارجن (تطہیر) ہے؛ آگنیہ غسل—بھسم لگا کر پاؤں سے سر تک بدن کو جھاڑ کر پاک کرنا ہے۔

Word by Word

• ब्राह्मम्: Brāhma (type)
• ब्राह्मम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्राह्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; 'Brāhma' (type)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषार्थक-निपात

• मार्जनम्: cleansing/wiping
• मार्जनम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्जन (प्रातिपदिक; √मृज्, ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• कुशैः: with kuśa grass
• कुशैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• स-उदक-बिन्दुभिः: with drops of water
• स-उदक-बिन्दुभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक) + बिन्दु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—उदकबिन्दु (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'drops of water') + स (सह/युक्त) उपपद; अर्थः 'with water-drops'

• आग्नेयम्: Āgneya (type)
• आग्नेयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आग्नेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भस्मना: with ash
• भस्मना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• आ-पाद-मस्तकात्: from the feet up to the head
• आ-पाद-मस्तकात्: Adhikarana (Extent/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ (अव्यय) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + मस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समासः; पञ्चमी-अर्थे (ablatival range): 'from foot up to head' (lit. up to head from foot)

• देहधूननम्: shaking/cleansing of the body
• देहधूननम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह (प्रातिपदिक) + धूनन (प्रातिपदिक; √धू, ल्युट्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—देहस्य धूननम्

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Two modalities of purification: mantric sprinkling/cleansing (Brāhma) and ash-based cleansing (Āgneya) from feet to head.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) and tejas (agni/ash) as purifiers; disciplined embodiment supports higher contemplation.

Application: Before worship: perform ācamana/mārjana with mantra and kuśa (or a clean substitute), and apply a small amount of sacred ash (if in one’s tradition) with mindful intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (snāna-sthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.9 (sixfold snāna list)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of Brahma-type (brāhma) purification in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines brāhma purification as mantra-based cleansing using kuśa grass and water-drops, presenting it as a sanctioned method for restoring ritual purity.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals and purity?

Garuda Purana frequently frames post-death and daily observances around śauca (purity); here it specifies concrete purification techniques that support correct ritual conduct in sensitive contexts like rites and mourning.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use mantra-recitation with clean water (and traditional kuśa where available) for purification, and understand vibhūti/ash application as a symbolic discipline of purity and reverence before religious duties.