Shloka 51

Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva

Devanagari script

षोडशकोटिविस्तीर्णं पञ्चविंशतिकोच्छ्रयम् / वर्तुलं चिन्तयेव्द्योम भुतशुद्धिरुदाहृता

Transliteration

ṣoḍaśakoṭivistīrṇaṃ pañcaviṃśatikocchrayam / vartulaṃ cintayevdyoma bhutaśuddhirudāhṛtā

Translation

ينبغي أن يتأمّل المرء الفضاء الشبيه بالسماء على هيئة دائرة، ممتدًّا إلى ستّ عشرة كوṭي في السَّعة ومرتفعًا إلى خمسٍ وعشرين. وهذه المراقبة تُعلَن تطهيرًا للعناصر (bhūtaśuddhi).

Word by Word

• ṣoḍaśakoṭivistīrṇam: expanded to sixteen crores (in extent)
• ṣoḍaśakoṭivistīrṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣoḍaśa + koṭi + vistīrṇa (प्रातिपदिक; vistīrṇa = √stṛ (धातु) क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) विशेषण; समासः—षोडशकोटि-परिमाणेन विस्तीर्णम् (तत्पुरुष)

• pañcaviṃśatikocchrayam: having a height of twenty-five
• pañcaviṃśatikocchrayam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcaviṃśati + ucchraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—पञ्चविंशति-परिमाणः उच्छ्रयः यस्य (तत्पुरुष)

• vartulam: circular/round
• vartulam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vartula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• cintayet: one should contemplate
• cintayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √cint (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ/imperative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• dyoma: the sky/space
• dyoma: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dyoman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (कर्मपद)

• bhūtaśuddhiḥ: purification of the elements
• bhūtaśuddhiḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta + śuddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—भूतानां शुद्धिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• udāhṛtā: is declared/said
• udāhṛtā: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√āhṛ (धातु) क्त-प्रत्यय
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) — ‘कथिता/उच्यते’ अर्थे

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhūtaśuddhi through visualization of ākāśa (space) as an immense, ordered field.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa–apavāda tendency: refining identification from gross elements toward subtle witness-consciousness.

Application: Use structured visualization (extent/height/circularity) to stabilize attention, then contemplate elemental dissolution/purification before mantra or deity-dhyāna.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: inner yogic/mandala space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.23 (bhūtaśuddhi/nyāsa-dhyāna sequence, surrounding verses)

FAQs

What is the importance of bhūtaśuddhi in Garuda Purana?

This verse defines bhūtaśuddhi as a specific inner visualization—meditating on vast, sky-like space—used to purify the practitioner’s elemental constitution before higher practices.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing purification of the elements and subtle constitution, it supports the broader Garuḍa Purāṇa theme that the subtle body’s condition (purity/impurity) shapes post-death experience and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before prayer, japa, or śrāddha-related observances, spend a short time visualizing expansive, clear space (vyoma) to steady attention and cultivate inner purity and calm.