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

Im Osten soll man Viṣṇu gebührend verehren—zusammen mit Viṣṇus tapas (Askese) und Viṣṇus śakti (göttlicher Kraft). Danach soll man Viṣṇus Gefolge verehren; und in der Mitte Śakti sowie Kūrma (die tragende Schildkrötenform).

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.