Shloka 18

Sandhyā-Upāsanā Vidhi: Prāṇāyāma, Water Purification, Aghāmarpaṇa, Sūrya Worship, Nyāsa, and Gāyatrī Japa

Devanagari script

छन्दस्तु देवी गायत्त्री परमात्मा च देवता

Transliteration

chandastu devī gāyattrī paramātmā ca devatā

Translation

Das Versmaß (chandas) ist die Göttin Gāyatrī, und die waltende Gottheit ist der Paramātmā, das höchste Selbst.

Word by Word

• छन्दः: the metre (chandas)
• छन्दः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छन्दस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-नाम

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—अवधारण/विरोधार्थक (but/indeed)

• देवी: the goddess
• देवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-नाम

• गायत्त्री: Gāyatrī
• गायत्त्री: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गायत्री/गायत्त्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-नाम

• परमात्मा: the Supreme Self
• परमात्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘परमः आत्मा’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• देवता: the deity
• देवता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय-नाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra is not mere sound: its chandas is divine (Gāyatrī) and its devatā is Paramātmā—linking form (metre) to ultimate reality.

Vedantic Theme: Identity/relationship of upāsya (object of worship) with Paramātmā; mantra as a means to recognize the Self as the presiding reality.

Application: When chanting Gāyatrī, hold awareness of both its metrical sanctity and its ultimate referent (Paramātmā); chant with meaning and inward recollection.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: mantric/ritual frame

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.37.1 (Gāyatrī as supreme, sin-destroying); Garuda Purana 1.37.2 (japa counts and kalpa)

Characters & Entities

• Gāyatrī
• Paramātmā

FAQs

What is the importance of identifying chandas and devata in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that Gāyatrī is the chandas (metre) and Paramātmā is the devatā (presiding deity), which is essential for correct mantra-japa and ritual viniyoga.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By naming Paramātmā as the devatā, the verse points to the Supreme Self as the ultimate spiritual reference, aligning practice (mantra) with liberation-oriented understanding rather than mere ritualism.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When reciting Gāyatrī or related prayers, remember the metre (Gāyatrī) and meditate on Paramātmā as the presiding reality—supporting focused japa, ethical living, and inward devotion.