Shloka 5

Gopāla-pūjāvidhi: Maṇḍala, Dik-devatā, Mantra-aṅga, and Āyudha Installation

Devanagari script

पूर्वे विष्णुं विष्णुतपो विष्णुशक्तिं समर्चयेत् / ततो विष्णुपरीवारं मध्ये शक्तिं च कूर्ंमकम्

Transliteration

pūrve viṣṇuṃ viṣṇutapo viṣṇuśaktiṃ samarcayet / tato viṣṇuparīvāraṃ madhye śaktiṃ ca kūrṃmakam

Translation

في الشرق تُعبد فيشنو على الوجه اللائق، مع تَبَسِه (التقشّف) وشَكتيه (القدرة الإلهية). ثم تُعبد حاشية فيشنو وأتباعه؛ وفي الوسط تُعبد شاكتي وكورما، هيئة السلحفاة الحاملة.

Word by Word

• पूर्वे: in the east
• पूर्वे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• विष्णुतपः: Viṣṇu’s tapas (austerity)
• विष्णुतपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (Viṣṇu’s austerity/penance)

• विष्णुशक्तिम्: Viṣṇu-Śakti
• विष्णुशक्तिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (Viṣṇu’s power/Śakti)

• समर्चयेत्: should worship duly
• समर्चयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ततः: then
• ततः: Sambandha (Discourse connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रम/अनन्तरार्थक (then/thereafter)

• विष्णुपरीवारम्: Viṣṇu’s retinue
• विष्णुपरीवारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + परिवार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (Viṣṇu’s retinue)

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; स्थानवाचक

• शक्तिम्: Śakti
• शक्तिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कूर्मकम्: Kūrma (tortoise form/deity)
• कूर्मकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूर्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇu is worshiped with inseparable tapas (discipline) and śakti (power), and the world is upheld by divine support (Kūrma) centered in Śakti.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara with śakti as upādhi for manifestation; stability (dhāraṇa) of the cosmos—support principle beneath appearances.

Application: Pair devotion with discipline (tapas) and cultivate inner centeredness; in ritual, establish a stable ‘center’ (focus) before expanding to attendants and protections.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-mandala/kshetra axis

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.28 (Viṣṇu in the east; central support motif)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shakti
• Kurm(a)

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping Viṣṇu in the east in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes an orientation-based ritual order: placing and worshipping Viṣṇu in the eastern direction, emphasizing disciplined worship (tapas) and divine power (śakti) as integral to Viṣṇu-upāsanā.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it frames a ritual theology where Viṣṇu, his śakti, and his parivāra are honored in a structured mandala—supporting the broader Garuda Purana theme that right worship and dharmic observance aid spiritual protection and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing Viṣṇu-pūjā, follow a clear, reverent sequence: honor Viṣṇu first (with devotion and discipline), then associated deities, and keep the center as the seat of power/support (Śakti/Kūrma), maintaining order and focus in worship.