Shloka 7

Upanayana Timing, Brahmacarya Rules, Ācamana & Sandhyā Observance

Devanagari script

त्रिः प्राश्यापो द्विरुन्मृज्य खान्याद्भिः समुपस्पृशेत् / अद्भिस्तु प्रकृतिस्थाभिर्हेनाभिः फेनबुहुदैः

Transliteration

triḥ prāśyāpo dvirunmṛjya khānyādbhiḥ samupaspṛśet / adbhistu prakṛtisthābhirhenābhiḥ phenabuhudaiḥ

Translation

Sau khi uống nước ba lần và lau miệng hai lần, hành giả nên làm ācamana bằng cách chạm nước vào các cửa giác quan. Việc ấy phải dùng nước ở trạng thái tự nhiên: trong sạch, không lẫn bọt, và không có lớp bọt dày quá mức.

Word by Word

• त्रिः: thrice
• त्रिः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रिः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; संख्यावाचक क्रियाविशेषण (numeral adverb)

• प्राश्य: having sipped
• प्राश्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √प्रश् (प्रश् धातु) → प्राश्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having sipped’

• आपः: water
• आपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (बहुवचन-प्रयोग), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), बहुवचन

• द्विः: twice
• द्विः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: द्विः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; संख्यावाचक क्रियाविशेषण

• उन्मृज्य: having wiped/cleansed
• उन्मृज्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उद् + √मृज् (मृज् धातु) → उन्मृज्य (कृदन्त, ल्यप्)
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having wiped/cleansed’

• खानि: the (bodily) openings
• खानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; ‘openings’ (eyes, nostrils etc.)

• अद्भिः: with water
• अद्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• समुपस्पृशेत्: should perform ācamana properly
• समुपस्पृशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + उप + √स्पृश् (स्पृश् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• अद्भिः: with waters
• अद्भिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अप्/आप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• तु: but / indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• प्रकृतिस्थाभिः: with (water) in its natural (clean) state
• प्रकृतिस्थाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रकृति + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण—प्रकृतौ स्थिता (in natural state, clean/unsullied)

• हेनाभिः: with scum/foam
• हेनाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; ‘foam/scum’ (impure froth)

• फेनबुहुदैः: with much foam
• फेनबुहुदैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फेन + बहुद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण—फेनः बहुधा/बहु यस्मिन् (much-foamy)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Proper ācāmana sequence (three sips, two wipes, then touching sense-openings) using clean, naturally clear water without foam/excess froth.

Vedantic Theme: External order supports internal sattva; disciplined procedure reduces rajas/tamas before sacred acts.

Application: Before prayer or study: sip water thrice, wipe mouth twice, then touch eyes/ears/nose etc. with wet fingers; ensure water is clean and uncontaminated (avoid bubbly/soapy/impure water).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: river/well/household vessel (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.94.5 (posture/direction); Garuda Purana 1.94.6 (kara-tīrthas); Garuda Purana 1.94.8 (gradation of purification)

FAQs

What is the importance of ācamana in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats ācamana as a required act of śauca (ritual cleanliness): sip water in a prescribed manner and purify the sense-openings, making one fit for prayer, japa, and other rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the soul’s journey directly; instead, it lays the ritual-dharma foundation—purity and correct practice—that the Garuda Purana repeatedly presents as supportive of spiritual discipline and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before worship or meditation, follow a simple purification routine: sip clean water mindfully, maintain bodily cleanliness, and use uncontaminated water—emphasizing intention, hygiene, and readiness for sacred action.