Shloka 9

Prāṇeśvara Garuḍa-Mantra: Timing (Velā), Nāga-Grahas, Nyāsa, Haṃsa-Rite, and Viṣa-Cikitsā

Devanagari script

यामार्धसन्धिसंस्थां च वेलां कालवतीं चरेत् / बाणद्विषड्वह्निवाजियुगभूरेकभागतः?

Transliteration

yāmārdhasandhisaṃsthāṃ ca velāṃ kālavatīṃ caret / bāṇadviṣaḍvahnivājiyugabhūrekabhāgataḥ?

Translation

Hãy quan sát các thời đoạn nằm tại chỗ giao nhau của nửa canh (yāma)—tức ‘velā’ (giờ nghi lễ) đã được ấn định, mang đúng lượng thời gian. Sự tính toán dựa theo mật mã số truyền thống: mũi tên, kẻ thù, sáu, lửa, ngựa, đôi, đất, một; mỗi từ chỉ một phần phân số của ngày.

Word by Word

• यामार्धसन्धिसंस्थाम्: situated at the junction of the half-watch
• यामार्धसन्धिसंस्थाम्: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: याम (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्था (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (याम-अर्ध-सन्धौ संस्थिता) विशेषण (वेलाम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (समुच्चय/coordination particle)

• वेलाम्: the time-period; tide/time
• वेलाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• कालवतीम्: having (its) time; time-endowed
• कालवतीम्: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कालवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (वेलाम्)

• चरेत्: should move/act; should traverse
• चरेत्: Kriyā (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• बाणद्विषड्वह्निवाजियुगभूरेकभागतः: according to the measure/count (encoded by bāṇa, two, six, fire, horse, yuga, earth, one-part)
• बाणद्विषड्वह्निवाजियुगभूरेकभागतः: Karaṇa/Pramāṇa (Measure adverbial/प्रमाण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वि (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + षट् (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + वाजि (प्रातिपदिक) + युग (प्रातिपदिक) + भू (प्रातिपदिक) + एक (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित/अव्यय)
• Form: समासान्त-अव्यय (तसिल्/तस्: ‘-तः’ = from/by); बहुपद-समास (संख्याशब्द-समाहार) क्रियाविशेषण

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sandhi (junction) times are potent; one should observe prescribed velā with correct measure using traditional saṅkhyā-saṅketa (bhūta-saṅkhyā) codes.

Vedantic Theme: Mindfulness in kāla: disciplined attention to transitions supports sattva and steadiness (śama) conducive to higher pursuit.

Application: Mark and honor daily transition times (dawn/dusk and yāma junctions) for prayer, restraint, and avoidance of careless acts; learn traditional numeric mnemonics for timing.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual time-junction (sandhi)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.19.5-1.19.8 (time divisions and graha portions)

FAQs

What is the importance of velā (proper ritual time) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that dharmic practices should be performed in correctly defined time-junctions (sandhi-kāla), because the efficacy of observances depends on the prescribed time-measure (kālavatī velā).

How does this verse relate to spiritual discipline in daily life?

It frames discipline as time-sensitive: one’s routine should align with transitional periods of the day (yāma-sandhi), indicating that right timing is part of right conduct (ācāra).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent schedule for prayer/meditation and key daily observances around natural transitions (dawn/dusk or other junctions), treating timing as a component of dharma and self-regulation.