Shloka 24

Devanagari script

द्वार्यत्तरे गदां न्यस्य शङ्खं कोणेषु विन्यसेत् / देवदक्षिणतः शार्ङ्गं वामे चैव सुधीर्न्यसेत्

Transliteration

dvāryattare gadāṃ nyasya śaṅkhaṃ koṇeṣu vinyaset / devadakṣiṇataḥ śārṅgaṃ vāme caiva sudhīrnyaset

Translation

Placing the mace (gadā) at the northern side of the doorway, one should set the conch (śaṅkha) in the corners. The wise should also place Śārṅga, the divine bow, to the right side of the deity, and the remaining emblem to the left as well.

Word by Word

• द्वारि: at the doorway
• द्वारि: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उत्तरे: on the northern
• उत्तरे: Adhikarana (Location qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying द्वारि)

• गदाम्: the mace
• गदाम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• न्यस्य: having placed
• न्यस्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+अस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); पूर्वक्रिया

• शङ्खम्: the conch
• शङ्खम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कोणेषु: in the corners
• कोणेषु: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• विन्यसेत्: should place/install
• विन्यसेत्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि+नि+अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देव: deity/lord
• देव: Samasa-anga (Compound member)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; समासपूर्वपद (in compound)

• दक्षिणतः: to the right (south) side
• दक्षिणतः: Adhikarana (Directional)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पञ्चमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; तसिल्-प्रत्ययार्थे अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण; देवदक्षिणतः (compound-adverb: ‘to the right of the Lord’)

• शार्ङ्गम्: Śārṅga (the bow)
• शार्ङ्गम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शार्ङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वामे: on the left
• वामे: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरणार्थे (locative: ‘on the left’)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Avadharana (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (particle of emphasis)

• सुधीः: the wise person
• सुधीः: Karta (Subject/agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुधी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तृपद (agent)

• न्यसेत्: should place/install
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Completeness in worship: arranging Vishnu’s emblems externalizes inner virtues—strength (gada), purity/auspicious sound (shankha), focused power (sharnga).

Vedantic Theme: Upasana as chitta-ekagrata: ordered placement trains the mind toward wholeness and reverent attention to the divine form (rupa).

Application: In daily practice, cultivate ‘emblem-virtues’: firmness (discipline), clarity (truthful speech), and focused intent—mirroring gada, shankha, and sharnga.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: threshold and inner sanctum arrangement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.11 (continuation of dvara and ayudha placements)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (implied by emblems: śaṅkha, gadā, śārṅga)

FAQs

What is the importance of placing Vishnu’s emblems in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse treats the conch, mace, and Śārṅga as sacred identifiers of Viṣṇu; their correct placement is part of orderly pūjā, supporting reverence and ritual correctness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; instead, it focuses on devotional/ritual arrangement in Viṣṇu worship, which in the Purāṇic framework supports dharma and spiritual merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

In home or temple worship, keep devotional items arranged with intention and cleanliness; if using Viṣṇu symbols, place them respectfully in designated positions rather than casually.