Shloka 54

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

प्राणायामशतं कुर्यात्सर्वपापापनुक्त्ये / ओङ्काराभियुतं सोमसलिलप्रशनाच्छुचिः

Transliteration

prāṇāyāmaśataṃ kuryātsarvapāpāpanuktye / oṅkārābhiyutaṃ somasalilapraśanācchuciḥ

Translation

Để trừ sạch mọi tội lỗi, hãy thực hành một trăm lượt prāṇāyāma. Rồi khi đã thanh tịnh, hãy nhấp nước soma (nước thiêng) cùng với sự xướng niệm “Oṁ”.

Word by Word

• प्राणायामशतम्: a hundred prāṇāyāmas
• प्राणायामशतम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राणायाम + शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्राणायामानां शतम् (a hundred breath-controls)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: क्रिया (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सर्वपापापनुक्त्ये: for removal of all sins
• सर्वपापापनुक्त्ये: सम्प्रदान (Purpose/Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वपाप + अपनुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; सर्वपापानाम् अपनुक्त्यै (for the removal of all sins)

• ओङ्काराभियुतम्: accompanied by Oṃ
• ओङ्काराभियुतम्: कर्मविशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ओङ्कार + अभियुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ओङ्कारेण अभियुतम् (accompanied with Oṃ)

• सोमसलिलप्रशनात्: from drinking Soma-water
• सोमसलिलप्रशनात्: अपादान (Source/Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोम + सलिल + प्रशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; सोमसलिलस्य प्रशनात् (from drinking Soma-water)

• शुचिः: pure
• शुचिः: कर्तृविशेषण (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Breath regulation and Oṁ-centered practice purify and remove sin, preparing the mind for higher realization.

Vedantic Theme: Prāṇa-nirodha leading to antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; Oṁ as praṇava—symbol of Brahman and gateway to contemplation.

Application: Practice measured prāṇāyāma (within capacity and safety), integrate Oṁ-japa, and maintain ritual sipping/ācamana as mindfulness of purity and intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/meditation space (home altar or tīrtha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105 (prayāścitta methods: japa, homa, sandhyā, Rudra-japa)

Characters & Entities

• Om (Oṅkāra)
• Soma (as sacred water)

FAQs

What is the importance of pranayama in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents prāṇāyāma as a direct means of pāpa-kṣaya (reduction/removal of sins), prescribing a disciplined count (one hundred) as a purificatory observance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing purification through breath-control and Oṁ-linked sipping of sanctified water, it frames inner and outer purity as essential preparation for dharmic living—supporting a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a consistent, measured prāṇāyāma practice and pair daily rituals (like ācamana or mindful sipping of water) with Oṁ for mental clarity, restraint, and ethical self-correction.