Garuda Purana — Preta Kalpa, Shloka 24

Explanation of Purification (Śuddhi-vyākhyāna)

Devanagari script

प्रमादादिच्छया मर्त्यो न गच्छेत्सर्पसंमुखः / पक्षयोरुभयोर्नागं पञ्चमीषु प्रपूजयेत्

Transliteration

pramādādicchayā martyo na gacchetsarpasaṃmukhaḥ / pakṣayorubhayornāgaṃ pañcamīṣu prapūjayet

Translation

Dù do sơ suất hay cố ý, người phàm chớ đi đối diện với rắn. Trong cả hai nửa tháng âm lịch (bạch và hắc), vào ngày Pañcamī (mồng năm), hãy kính lễ thờ phụng các Nāga cho đúng pháp.

Word by Word

• प्रमादात्: from negligence
• प्रमादात्: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रमाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• इच्छया: by (one’s) desire
• इच्छया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• मर्त्यः: a mortal man
• मर्त्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्त्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (particle of negation)

• गच्छेत्: should go
• गच्छेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• सर्प-संमुखः: facing a snake
• सर्प-संमुखः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्प (प्रातिपदिक) + संमुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध) — ‘सर्पस्य संमुखः’

• पक्षयोः: of the two fortnights (waxing and waning)
• पक्षयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन

• उभयोः: of both
• उभयोः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन

• नागम्: the Nāga (serpent-deity)
• नागम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पञ्चमीषु: on the fifth lunar days
• पञ्चमीषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• प्रपूजयेत्: should worship duly
• प्रपूजयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; उपसर्गः ‘प्र-’

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Apramāda (non-negligence) and periodic propitiation of Nāgas as protective observance; respect toward potentially dangerous beings.

Vedantic Theme: Ahimsā and harmony with living beings; dharma as practical order reducing suffering and fear.

Application: Avoid reckless behavior around snakes; observe Nāga-pañcamī in both pakṣas as instructed (where tradition holds), with respectful worship and safety-minded conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: shrine/ritual spot

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: nāga-related doṣa and remedies (where present in dharma/vrata sections)

Characters & Entities

• Nāgas
• Sarpa (serpents)
• Martyas (humans)
• Pañcamī (lunar observance)

FAQs

What is the importance of Nāga worship on Pañcamī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes Pañcamī worship in both lunar fortnights as a dharmic observance to honor Nāgas and reduce serpent-related dangers and afflictions.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana’s broader focus on ritual and protection?

Alongside teachings on post-death rites, the Preta Kanda also includes practical dharma and remedial observances; here it emphasizes disciplined conduct and timely worship to prevent harm from serpents.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain caution around snakes (avoid provoking or approaching them) and, if following tradition, observe Nāga Pañcamī with respectful worship/charity as a reminder of non-violence and reverence for life.