Shloka 44

Navavyūha-pūjāvidhi: Bhūta-śuddhi, Nyāsa, Yogapīṭha, Maṇḍala-racanā, Mudrā-prayoga

Devanagari script

अर्घ्यपाद्यादि वै दद्यात्पुण्डरीकाक्षविद्यया

Transliteration

arghyapādyādi vai dadyātpuṇḍarīkākṣavidyayā

Translation

One should indeed offer arghya, pādya, and the other customary offerings, while employing the Puṇḍarīkākṣa-vidyā—the sacred invocation/mantra of the Lotus-eyed Lord.

Word by Word

• अर्घ्यपाद्यादि: arghya, pādya, etc. (offerings)
• अर्घ्यपाद्यादि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य + पाद्य + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (अर्घ्यं च पाद्यं च इत्यादि), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्व)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• दद्यात्: should give/offer
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पुण्डरीकाक्षविद्यया: by the Puṇḍarīkākṣa-vidyā (mantra/knowledge)
• पुण्डरीकाक्षविद्यया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्डरीकाक्ष + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (पुण्डरीकाक्षस्य विद्या), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण-कारक (instrumental)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: External offerings become spiritually efficacious when joined to correct mantra (vidyā) and intention; devotion is enacted through upacāra.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga within bhakti: action offered to the Lord purifies and steadies the mind, preparing for higher realization.

Application: Perform daily Viṣṇu-pūjā: offer arghya (water for respectful reception) and pādya (water for washing feet) while reciting Puṇḍarīkākṣa-mantra; keep offerings simple but attentive.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.11.40-43 (dhyāna/iconography preceding offerings)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Puṇḍarīkākṣa)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering arghya and pādya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes respectful, rule-based worship (upacāra), where arghya and pādya are foundational offerings that formalize the act of honoring the deity.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it prioritizes mantra-guided dharmic practice—devotional and ritual purity—which the Garuda Purana presents as supportive for spiritual merit and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing Viṣṇu-pūjā (at home or in a temple), offer water and customary upacāras with clear invocation of the Lord (mantra/vidyā), keeping attention, cleanliness, and reverence central.