Shloka 71

Prāyaścitta: Catalogue of Sins, Narakas, and Graded Expiations

Kṛcchra–Cāndrāyaṇa–Japa

Devanagari script

कृत्वा त्रिषवणं स्नानं पिण्डं चान्द्रायणं चरेत् / पवित्राणि जपेत्पिण्डान् गायत्त्र्या चाभिमन्त्रयेत्

Transliteration

kṛtvā triṣavaṇaṃ snānaṃ piṇḍaṃ cāndrāyaṇaṃ caret / pavitrāṇi japetpiṇḍān gāyattryā cābhimantrayet

Translation

Sau khi tắm gội ba thời trong ngày, hãy chuẩn bị piṇḍa (cơm nắm cúng vong linh) và giữ pháp sám hối Cāndrāyaṇa. Hãy tụng các thần chú Pavitrā và gia trì, chú nguyện cho các piṇḍa bằng Gāyatrī.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृत्)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive) — ‘having done’

• त्रिषवणम्: three times (at the three savanas)
• त्रिषवणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + सवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular; द्विगु-समास

• स्नानम्: bath
• स्नानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• पिण्डम्: a food-ball/lump
• पिण्डम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• चान्द्रायणम्: Cāndrāyaṇa penance
• चान्द्रायणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चान्द्रायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन — accusative singular

• चरेत्: should perform
• चरेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पवित्राणि: purificatory (mantras) / ‘pavitra’ hymns
• पवित्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन — accusative plural

• जपेत्: should recite
• जपेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• पिण्डान्: food-balls/lumps
• पिण्डान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), बहुवचन — accusative plural

• गायत्त्र्या: with the Gāyatrī (mantra)
• गायत्त्र्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन — instrumental singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अभिमन्त्रयेत्: should consecrate by mantra / should chant over
• अभिमन्त्रयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + मन्त्र् (धातु) + णिच्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोजक (causative)

Speaker

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

Shraddha Ritual

Timing: Tri-savana (three daily junctions) context; applicable within vow-period such as Cāndrāyaṇa.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Prāyaścitta requires both external purity (snāna) and internal sanctification (japa/abhimantraṇa) to make offerings efficacious.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) as purifier; disciplined action as preparation for sattva and devotion.

Application: Before any sacred act: cleanse body, steady breath, recite purifying mantras, and perform offerings with clear intention and correct invocation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.105.69-70 (Cāndrāyaṇa via piṇḍa regulation); Garuda Purana ritual sections on śrāddha-mantras and purity (elsewhere in Pretakalpa/ācāra portions)

Characters & Entities

• Gayatri
• Pavitrani
• Chandrayana
• Pinda

FAQs

What is the importance of triṣavaṇa-snānā (thrice-daily bath) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse treats triṣavaṇa-snānā as a prerequisite purification before handling piṇḍa offerings, ensuring ritual cleanliness and readiness for śrāddha-related actions.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

By emphasizing piṇḍa preparation and mantra-consecration, the verse points to śrāddha supports offered to the departed, which the Garuda Purana links with post-death welfare and orderly transition under dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing śrāddha or memorial rites, prioritize personal purification, follow the prescribed vow/discipline when relevant, and perform offerings with focused mantra-recitation (especially Gāyatrī) rather than treating the rite as a mere formality.