Shloka 41

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

प्रतिच्छन्दकभेदेन प्रासादाः सम्भवन्ति ते / अन्योन्यासंकरास्तेषां घटनानामभेदतः

Transliteration

praticchandakabhedena prāsādāḥ sambhavanti te / anyonyāsaṃkarāsteṣāṃ ghaṭanānāmabhedataḥ

Translation

Entsprechend den unterschiedlichen praticchanda (Maß- und Entwurfsmustern) entstehen jene Prāsādas. Doch vermischen sie sich nicht miteinander, da ihre bauliche Anordnung (ghaṭanā) klar abgegrenzt bleibt.

Word by Word

• praticchandaka-bhedena: by the variation/difference of templates (praticchandaka)
• praticchandaka-bhedena: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praticchandaka (प्रातिपदिक) + bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (प्रतिच्छन्दकस्य भेदः)

• prāsādāḥ: palaces/temple-structures
• prāsādāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāsāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• sambhavanti: arise/come into being
• sambhavanti: Kriyā (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-√bhū (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• te: they
• te: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• anyonya-asaṃkarāḥ: mutually non-confused/non-mixed
• anyonya-asaṃkarāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anyonya (प्रातिपदिक) + asaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक; नञ्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (अन्योन्ये असंकराः = mutually non-mixed)

• teṣām: of them
• teṣām: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• ghaṭanānām: of the constructions/arrangements
• ghaṭanānām: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghaṭanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• abhedataḥ: due to non-difference/identity
• abhedataḥ: Hetu (Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: abheda (प्रातिपदिक) + tas (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb): 'from/owing to'

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Diversity of forms arises from pattern/measure; integrity is preserved by non-mixture due to distinct compositional rules.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa differentiation grounded in specific upādhis; clarity of saṃsthāna (configuration) prevents saṅkara (confusion).

Application: Maintain design integrity: choose a prāsāda type and follow its proportional grammar consistently; avoid arbitrary mixing of incompatible elements.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: architectural canon (praticchanda/māna-based typology)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.40-43 (continuity: forms, rules, deity-specific considerations, and base geometry)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of praticchandas in Garuda Purana architecture teachings?

This verse states that prāsādas are differentiated by specific measure-based design patterns (praticchandas), which is the basis for their classification and correct construction.

Why does the verse say the prāsādas do not get ‘mixed’ with each other?

Because each type has a distinct arrangement of parts and layout (ghaṭanā); the defining construction features keep categories separate and non-confusable.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When designing or restoring sacred or traditional buildings, follow a consistent proportional system and layout rules so the form remains coherent, identifiable, and faithful to its intended type.