Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

अपामार्गं च विल्वं च करवीरं च धावने / उदङ्मुखः प्राङ्मुखो वा भक्षयेद्दन्तधावनम्

Transliteration

apāmārgaṃ ca vilvaṃ ca karavīraṃ ca dhāvane / udaṅmukhaḥ prāṅmukho vā bhakṣayeddantadhāvanam

Translation

دانت صاف کرنے کے لیے اپامارگ، بیلْو یا کرویر کی داتن استعمال کی جائے۔ شمال رُخ یا مشرق رُخ ہو کر دَنت دھاون (مسواک) کرنا چاہیے۔

Word by Word

• अपामार्गम्: apāmārga plant
• अपामार्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपामार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

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

• विल्वम्: bilva (bael)
• विल्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विल्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

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

• करवीरम्: karavīra (oleander)
• करवीरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करवीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

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

• धावने: in/for cleansing
• धावने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन; ‘in/for cleansing (teeth-cleaning context)’

• उदङ्मुखः: facing north
• उदङ्मुखः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उदङ् दिशि मुखं यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; विशेषण

• प्राङ्मुखः: facing east
• प्राङ्मुखः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राङ् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्राङ् दिशि मुखं यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वा: or
• वा: Connector (विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• भक्षयेत्: should chew/eat
• भक्षयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• दन्तधावनम्: tooth-cleaning (chewing-stick cleansing)
• दन्तधावनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त + धावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (दन्तानां धावनम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Daily śauca includes danta-dhāvana with prescribed plants and auspicious orientation.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline (niyama) as groundwork for mental steadiness.

Application: Adopt a consistent, mindful hygiene routine; choose safe, traditional cleansing materials where appropriate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household courtyard/riverbank edge; morning routine space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.50.15 (post-meal cleansing; offerings)

FAQs

What is the importance of tooth-cleaning (dantadhavana) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats bodily cleanliness as part of dharmic daily discipline (nitya-ācāra), prescribing specific twigs and proper orientation to support ritual purity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: the Garuda Purana links disciplined conduct and purity with dharma; such habitual observances shape one’s karmic disposition, which is central to the post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent morning hygiene routine with mindful discipline; if following tradition, prefer east/north orientation and use safe, appropriate natural alternatives (or modern dental care) while preserving the intent of cleanliness and self-restraint.