Shloka 12

Snāna-Śauca Krama: Varuṇa–Āpaḥ Mantras, Aghamarṣaṇa, Sūrya-Upasthāna, and Sarva-Tarpaṇa

Devanagari script

ततो ऽवृघृष्य पात्राणि निमज्योन्मज्य वै शनैः / गोमयेन विलिप्याथ मानस्तोक इत्यृचा

Transliteration

tato 'vṛghṛṣya pātrāṇi nimajyonmajya vai śanaiḥ / gomayena vilipyātha mānastoka ityṛcā

Translation

随后，不加刷洗，应缓缓将祭仪器皿反复浸入又提出；继而以牛粪涂抹其上，并诵以“mānastoka…”开头之《梨俱吠陀》圣句。

Word by Word

• ततः: then
• ततः: Adhikarana (Sequence/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक-अव्यय (then/thereafter)

• अवघृष्य: having scrubbed
• अवघृष्य: Kriya (Prior action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + घृष् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having scrubbed/cleansed’

• पात्राणि: vessels/utensils
• पात्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• निमज्य: having immersed
• निमज्य: Kriya (Prior action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + मज्ज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having dipped/immersed’

• उन्मज्य: having lifted out
• उन्मज्य: Kriya (Prior action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + मज्ज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having raised up (after dipping)’

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-निपात (indeed)

• शनैः: slowly
• शनैः: Adhikarana (Manner/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शनैः (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: slowly/gently)

• गोमयेन: with cow-dung
• गोमयेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोमय (प्रातिपदिक: गो + मय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (गोः मयम् = cow-dung)

• विलिप्य: having smeared
• विलिप्य: Kriya (Prior action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + लिप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having smeared/plastered’

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (Sequence marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then/next)

• मानस्तोक: (the mantra) “mānas-toka” (mind and offspring)
• मानस्तोक: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मानस् + तोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (मानः च तोकं च)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/इत्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• ऋचा: with the ṛc (verse)
• ऋचा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋचा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Instrumental purity (upakaraṇa-śuddhi) is part of dharma; the vessel must be fit (yogya) for offerings and mantra.

Vedantic Theme: Attention to means (sādhana-śuddhi) supports purity of intention; disciplined action reduces rajas/tamas in ritual mind.

Application: Keep worship tools clean and dedicated; cleanse gently (avoid damage), then sanctify with culturally appropriate purifiers; maintain a separate set for sacred use.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual workspace

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.214 (sequence: bodily purification → mantra → bathing → vessel purification)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vedic mantra (Ṛk)
• Gomaya (cow-dung)

FAQs

What is the importance of purifying ritual vessels in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse prescribes a specific śauca method—gentle immersion and removal followed by gomaya-smearing with a Vedic ṛk—showing that post-ritual purity is maintained through scripturally sanctioned procedures, not arbitrary cleaning.

How does this verse relate to the broader Garuda Purana guidance on after-death rites?

It forms part of the practical protocol surrounding antyeṣṭi and related observances, ensuring that objects used in rites connected to death are ritually restored to purity through mantra and traditional purificants.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow established, respectful purification steps for sacred items used in rites, emphasizing careful handling, cleanliness aligned with tradition, and a mindful attitude (mantra/intent) rather than harsh or careless treatment.