Shloka 6

Graha-yajña-vidhi

Procedure for the Planetary Sacrifice

Devanagari script

गन्धाश्च बलयश्चैव धूपो देयश्चगुग्गुलुः / कर्तव्यास्तत्र मन्त्रैश्च चरवः प्रतिदैवतम्

Transliteration

gandhāśca balayaścaiva dhūpo deyaścagugguluḥ / kartavyāstatra mantraiśca caravaḥ pratidaivatam

Translation

There one should present fragrances and bali (food-offerings), and offer incense—especially guggulu. With the proper mantras, one should also prepare caru (cooked oblations) and offer them to each deity in turn, in due order.

Word by Word

• गन्धाः: fragrances
• गन्धाः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

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

• बलयः: bracelets/rings
• बलयः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

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

• एव: also/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• धूपः: incense
• धूपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• देयः: should be given
• देयः: Vidhi (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; ‘to be given’

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

• गुग्गुलुः: guggulu (resin)
• गुग्गुलुः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुग्गुलु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

• कर्तव्याः: should be performed/prepared
• कर्तव्याः: Vidhi (Injunction/विधि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + तव्यत् (कृत्)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन; ‘to be done/made’

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (plural)

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

• चरवः: cooked oblations (caru)
• चरवः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• प्रतिदैवतम्: for each deity
• प्रतिदैवतम्: Sambandha (Distribution/वितरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय) + दैवत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावसमास; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of distribution): ‘for each deity’

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Upachara (proper offerings) and mantra-yukta action: devotion is expressed through correct materials and sequence, not mere sentiment.

Vedantic Theme: Karma performed with sacred intention refines the mind; sensory objects are reoriented from enjoyment to offering (yajna-bhava).

Application: Offer gandha, bali, and guggulu-dhupa; prepare caru and offer to each deity with its mantra—ensuring specificity rather than generic worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: yajna-vedi/altar precinct

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.101.5-9 (continuity of graha-homa procedure: setup, offerings, mantras, and samidh)

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of offering gandha, bali, and dhūpa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames them as essential components of proper worship—fragrance, food-offerings, and incense (notably guggulu) complete the ritual act and honor the deities in an orderly, mantra-guided way.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes correct ritual performance (ācāra) and devotional orderliness, which the Garuda Purana treats as supportive of dharma and auspicious outcomes, including post-death well-being.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When doing pūjā, keep offerings simple but correct: use fragrance, incense (guggul if available), a small bali/naivedya, and if performing a more formal rite, offer caru with the appropriate mantras for the intended deity.