Shloka 13

Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)

Devanagari script

उदङ्मुखांस्तथा विप्रांस्तान् सम्यगुपवेशयेत् / आवाहनार्घदानादौ विष्णुं यमसमन्वितम्

Transliteration

udaṅmukhāṃstathā viprāṃstān samyagupaveśayet / āvāhanārghadānādau viṣṇuṃ yamasamanvitam

Translation

برہمنوں کو شمال رُخ بٹھائے؛ اور آواہن، اَرغیہ دان وغیرہ میں یم کے ساتھ وشنو کی عبادت کرے۔

Word by Word

• udaṅmukhān: facing north
• udaṅmukhān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: udaṅmukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• tathā: thus / and also
• tathā: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/Conjunction

• viprān: Brahmins
• viprān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• tān: them
• tān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• samyak: properly/well
• samyak: Kriya-visheshana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• upaveśayet: should cause to sit / should seat
• upaveśayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: viś (विशँ) + upa (उप)
• Form: Causative (Nich), Optative (Vidhi-Lin), 3rd Person, Singular

• āvāhanārghadānādau: in invocation, offering water, giving gifts, etc.
• āvāhanārghadānādau: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āvāhanārghadānādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• viṣṇum: Vishnu
• viṣṇum: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• yamasamanvitam: accompanied by Yama
• yamasamanvitam: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yamasamanvita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: during āvāhana and arghya-dāna aṅgas of śrāddha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual precision (dik, āsana, āvāhana, arghya) as a vehicle for intention; integrating Yama with Viṣṇu balances justice and refuge.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā within karma: form disciplines mind toward the formless; īśvara-smaraṇa sanctifies action.

Application: In any memorial/ceremony, keep clear structure and mindful steps; treat symbolic details (orientation, offerings) as aids to attention and reverence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space with directional sanctity

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha-krama: seating brāhmaṇas, āvāhana, arghya, devatā-smaraṇa

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Yama
• Vipras (Brahmanas)

FAQs

What is the importance of seating brāhmaṇas facing north in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse prescribes a specific ritual orientation—north-facing seating—as part of correct śrāddha procedure, emphasizing precision (samyak) in rites for the departed.

Why does this verse mention worshipping Viṣṇu together with Yama during āvāhana and arghya?

In the śrāddha context, Viṣṇu is invoked as the sustaining divine principle while Yama represents the lord of death and moral order; honoring both aligns the rite with protection/blessing (Viṣṇu) and the after-death jurisdiction (Yama).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or memorial rites, follow a learned tradition-guided procedure (including seating/orientation and proper offerings), and keep the intent dhārmic—respect for ancestors, ethical living, and reverence for divine order.