Shloka 11

Devanagari script

कुष्माण्डो राजपुत्रश्च अन्ते स्वाहासमन्वितैः / दद्याच्चतुष्पथे भूमौ कुशानास्तीर्य सर्वशः

Transliteration

kuṣmāṇḍo rājaputraśca ante svāhāsamanvitaiḥ / dadyāccatuṣpathe bhūmau kuśānāstīrya sarvaśaḥ

Translation

At the conclusion of the rite, one should present the offering with the invocation “svāhā” to Kuṣmāṇḍa and to Rājaputra at a four-way crossroads upon the earth, after spreading kuśa grass thoroughly in all directions.

Word by Word

• कुष्माण्डः: Kuṣmāṇḍa (name)
• कुष्माण्डः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुष्माण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• राजपुत्रः: king's son; prince
• राजपुत्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञः पुत्रः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः

• अन्ते: at the end
• अन्ते: Adhikarana (Time/Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (Locative singular: at the end)

• स्वाहा: svāhā (ritual exclamation)
• स्वाहा: Mantra-pada (Ritual utterance/मन्त्रपद)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वाहा (अव्यय/नाम)
• Form: अव्ययम्; मन्त्र-निपातः (exclamation used in offerings)

• समन्वितैः: with (items) accompanied/uttered with 'svāhā'
• समन्वितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + √इ (धातु) → समन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्तः (क्त-प्रत्ययः), पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; 'समन्वित' = endowed/combined; here: with (things) accompanied by svāhā

• दद्यात्: should give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम/मध्यमपुरुष-एकवचन-प्रयोगः; परस्मैपदम् (should give)

• चतुष्पथे: at the crossroads
• चतुष्पथे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुस् + पथ (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (चतुषां पथानां समाहारः/चतुष्पथः = crossroads)

• भूमौ: on the ground
• भूमौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम् (Locative singular)

• कुशान्: kuśa grasses
• कुशान्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• आस्तीर्य: having spread
• आस्तीर्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √स्तॄ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्ययकृदन्तम् (Gerund): having spread (out)

• सर्वशः: completely; in every way
• सर्वशः: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वशः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकार/परिमाणवाचक-क्रियाविशेषणम् (entirely, in all ways)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual closure includes apotropaic offerings at liminal places to divert/appease obstructive forces and protect the household/person.

Vedantic Theme: Acknowledging the empirical world’s forces while maintaining inner steadiness; disciplined action (karma) for protection without fear.

Application: Conclude major rites with a clear ‘closure’ step—gratitude, offering, and boundary-setting—to prevent lingering anxiety and to mark completion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: crossroads / liminal outdoor spot

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: śānti and rakṣā rites involving bali/offering outside the main altar area (general parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Kuṣmāṇḍa
• Rājaputra
• svāhā
• kuśa

FAQs

What is the importance of offering at a crossroads (catuṣpatha) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes a specific ritual location—crossroads—where offerings are made at the conclusion of the rite, indicating a liminal/public space used for designated recipients in post-death observances.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana narrative?

Indirectly: it situates a concluding offering within the broader post-death ritual framework that supports orderly transition and addresses designated beings through svāhā-invoked oblations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional rites, follow the prescribed procedure (proper place, kuśa spread, and mantra-utterance) under guidance of a qualified priest; ethically, it emphasizes completing duties carefully and respectfully.