Shloka 19

Tithi-Vrata Vidhāna: Śikhī-vrata (Pratipadā), Tṛtīyā Devī/Śrīdhara rites, Gaṇeśa Caturthī Mantra-Nyāsa, and Nāga Pañcamī

Devanagari script

मार्गशीर्षे तथा शुक्लचतुर्थ्यां पूजयेद्गण / अब्दं प्राप्नोति विद्याश्रीकीर्त्यायुः पुत्रसन्ततिम्

Transliteration

mārgaśīrṣe tathā śuklacaturthyāṃ pūjayedgaṇa / abdaṃ prāpnoti vidyāśrīkīrtyāyuḥ putrasantatim

Translation

In the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the bright fortnight’s fourth lunar day (Śukla Caturthī), one should worship Gaṇeśa. By this, one gains a full year endowed with learning, prosperity, fame, longevity, and an unbroken line of offspring.

Word by Word

• मार्गशीर्षे: in (the month of) Mārgaśīrṣa
• मार्गशीर्षे: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्गशीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; मासनाम

• तथा: likewise/also
• तथा: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• शुक्लचतुर्थ्याम्: on the bright fortnight’s fourth (tithi)
• शुक्लचतुर्थ्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + चतुर्थी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (शुक्ला चतुर्थी)

• पूजयेत्: should worship
• पूजयेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• गणम्: Gaṇa (Gaṇeśa)
• गणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• अब्दम्: a year
• अब्दम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• प्राप्नोति: attains/obtains
• प्राप्नोति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• विद्याश्रीकीर्त्यायुः: learning, prosperity, fame, and longevity (collectively)
• विद्याश्रीकीर्त्यायुः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + श्री (प्रातिपदिक) + कीर्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्वः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; (विद्या-श्री-कीर्ति-आयुषाम् समाहारः)

• पुत्रसन्ततिम्: progeny/line of sons
• पुत्रसन्ततिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्तति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पुत्राणां सन्ततिः)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kāla-niyama (right timing) in worship amplifies dharmic fruits—learning, prosperity, fame, longevity, and lineage continuity.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-phala governed by īśvara and dharma; ordered life (ṛta-like regularity) supports sattva and success.

Application: Observe monthly Caturthī worship with consistency; set intentions around study, ethical livelihood, reputation, health, and family responsibility.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: temple or household shrine

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.129.20–22 (Caturthī fast, offerings, mantra)

Characters & Entities

• Gaṇeśa

FAQs

What is the importance of Śukla Caturthī worship in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse presents Śukla Caturthī in Mārgaśīrṣa as a focused ritual time for worshipping Gaṇeśa, promising tangible life-results such as learning, prosperity, fame, longevity, and continuity of progeny.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it teaches dhārmic observance (pūjā and vrata-timing) that supports a stable, virtuous life—often treated in the Purāṇas as conducive to auspicious destiny.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe Gaṇeśa worship on Mārgaśīrṣa Śukla Caturthī with sincerity and ethical conduct, using it as a monthly discipline for cultivating study, responsible prosperity, good reputation, and family well-being.