Shloka 13

मुक्ता-उत्पत्ति-भेदाः, मूल्य-मान-निर्णयः, शोधन-परीक्षा-लक्षणानि

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Devanagari script

रक्षाविधानं सुमहद्विधाय हर्म्योपरिष्ठं क्रियते यदा तत् / तदा महादुन्दुभिमन्द्रघोषैर्विद्युल्लताविस्फुरितान्तरालैः

Transliteration

rakṣāvidhānaṃ sumahadvidhāya harmyopariṣṭhaṃ kriyate yadā tat / tadā mahādundubhimandraghoṣairvidyullatāvisphuritāntarālaiḥ

Translation

Wenn ein umfassendes Schutzritual ordnungsgemäß vollzogen und diese Schutzvorrichtung auf dem oberen Teil des Palastes angebracht wird, dann erfüllt den Zwischenraum der tiefe Widerhall großer Kesseltrommeln und ein Aufblitzen in Abständen wie Streifen von Blitzlicht.

Word by Word

• रक्षाविधानम्: protective arrangement/rite
• रक्षाविधानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakṣā + vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सुमहत्: very great
• सुमहत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (रक्षाविधानम्)

• विधाय: having arranged
• विधाय: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vi-√dhā (धातु) + ल्यप् (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (gerund): ‘having performed/arranged’

• हर्म्य-उपरिष्ठम्: the upper part/top of the mansion
• हर्म्य-उपरिष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: harmya + upariṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• क्रियते: is done/is performed
• क्रियते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः, प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive)

• यदा: when
• यदा: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययम् (temporal adverb)

• तत्: that (rite/act)
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; अत्र कर्म-निर्देशः (object-reference)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययम् (then)

• महादुन्दुभिमन्द्रघोषैः: with deep sounds of great drums
• महादुन्दुभिमन्द्रघोषैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + dundubhi + mandra + ghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• विद्युल्लताविस्फुरितान्तरालैः: with intervals lit by flashing lightning-creepers
• विद्युल्लताविस्फुरितान्तरालैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyut + latā + visphurita (कृदन्त; vi-√sphur (धातु) + क्त) + antarāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rakṣā (protective order) is established through proper vidhi; when dharmically performed, protection becomes palpable and effective.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual as upāya within vyavahāra: ordered action aligns the microcosm (home) with cosmic forces (sound/light).

Application: Perform protective/consecratory practices with correctness and responsibility; treat the home as a space requiring intentional safeguarding (ethical and practical).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household/roof installation site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.69.14 (effects: freedom from serpents, demons, disease, omens)

FAQs

What is the importance of rakṣā-vidhāna (protective rites) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents rakṣā-vidhāna as a formally established protective arrangement whose successful performance is marked by powerful, auspicious phenomena—suggesting ritual efficacy and divine safeguarding.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or after-death journey?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death route; instead, it highlights dharmic protective rites and their omens, a theme that supports broader Purāṇic concerns with correct observance and spiritual security.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Undertake protective prayers/rites with discipline and clarity of intent, keep the home-space ritually clean, and treat such observances as supports for steadiness, ethical living, and remembrance of the sacred.