Shloka 8

Aśokāṣṭamī and Mahānavamī: Durgā Navamī-vrata, mantra-nyāsa, forms, weapons, and offerings

Devanagari script

अष्टम्यां नव गेहानि दारुजान्येकमेव वा / तस्मिन्देवी प्रकर्तव्या हैमी वाराजतापि वा

Transliteration

aṣṭamyāṃ nava gehāni dārujānyekameva vā / tasmindevī prakartavyā haimī vārājatāpi vā

Translation

Am Aṣṭamī-Tag (achter Mondtag) bereite man neun kleine hölzerne Schreine vor—oder auch nur einen. Darin soll die Göttin gestaltet werden, sei es aus Gold oder ebenso aus Silber.

Word by Word

• अष्टम्याम्: on the eighth (tithi)
• अष्टम्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अष्टमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन — Locative singular feminine (on the eighth lunar day)

• नव: nine
• नव: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया/प्रथमा (2/1), बहुवचन — numeral used adjectivally with ‘gehāni’

• गेहानि: houses/dwellings
• गेहानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन — Accusative plural neuter

• दारुजानि: made of wood
• दारुजानि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दारुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन — Accusative plural neuter; adjective to ‘gehāni’

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular neuter

• एव: only
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (Nipāta)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपातः — particle ‘only/just’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-समुच्चय-निपातः — disjunctive particle ‘or’

• तस्मिन्: in that (place)
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन — Locative singular neuter ‘in that’

• देवी: the देवी (goddess)
• देवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Nominative singular feminine

• प्रकर्तव्या: should be made
• प्रकर्तव्या: Vidheyavisheshana (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्) कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — gerundive ‘to be made/constructed’

• हैमी: golden
• हैमी: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हैम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Nominative singular feminine; adjective to ‘devī’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः — ‘or’

• राजता: silver (made of silver)
• राजता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Nominative singular feminine; adjective to ‘devī’

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha/Emphasis (Nipāta)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/सम्भावनार्थक-निपातः — particle ‘also/even’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः — ‘or’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual action timed to auspicious lunar day and supported by material preparation becomes a vehicle for devotion and protective grace.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: offering of resources and effort as worship; sanctifying matter through intention and rite.

Application: Observe sacred timings with sincerity; create a clean dedicated worship space; offer within means (nine shrines or one) without losing devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household shrine/temporary pavilion (mandapa)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.133.6-7 (mantra and nyāsa); Garuda Purana 1.133.9-10 (worship supports and iconography)

Characters & Entities

• Devi

FAQs

What is the importance of Ashtami (eighth tithi) worship in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Ashtami as a prescribed time for a specific Devi-oriented rite, emphasizing timely (tithi-based) observance and proper preparation of a shrine and image.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ritual discipline (dharma)?

It frames ritual discipline through clear do’s—constructing designated shrines and installing a properly made image—showing that dharma includes precise, intentional worship acts.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe worship with care and sincerity: set up a clean altar (even a simple one), choose respectful materials within your means, and keep the practice aligned with the intended sacred timing.