Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

यजेच्छुक्लचतुर्थ्यां यः खण्डलड्डुकमोद (मण्ड) कैः / विघ्नाचनेन सर्वान्स कामान्सौभाग्यमाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

yajecchuklacaturthyāṃ yaḥ khaṇḍalaḍḍukamoda (maṇḍa) kaiḥ / vighnācanena sarvānsa kāmānsaubhāgyamāpnuyāt

Translation

Whoever, on the bright-fortnight Caturthī (Śukla Caturthī), worships the Remover of Obstacles (Vighnahara) with offerings such as pieces of sweets, laddūs, modakas, and mandakas, attains all desired aims and gains good fortune.

Word by Word

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

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

• यः: who (he who)
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-यत्

• खण्डलड्डुकमोदकैः: with pieces, laddus, and modakas (sweets)
• खण्डलड्डुकमोदकैः: Karana (Instrument/Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खण्ड (प्रातिपदिक) + लड्डुक (प्रातिपदिक) + मोदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (खण्डाः, लड्डुकाः, मोदकाः)

• विघ्नाचनेन: by (the rite of) removing obstacles
• विघ्नाचनेन: Karana (Means/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विघ्न (प्रातिपदिक) + अचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विघ्नानाम् अचनम् = removal/consumption of obstacles); साधनवाचक

• सर्वान्: all
• सर्वान्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• कामान्: desires
• कामान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• सौभाग्यम्: good fortune
• सौभाग्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौभाग्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• आप्नुयात्: should obtain
• आप्नुयात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra, within the broader dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Concrete offerings made with faith to the Vighnahartṛ align actions with desired outcomes; obstacles are framed as karmic/psychological impediments removable through worship.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as antaryāmin who can ‘clear the path’ when the mind is made sattvic through devotion and right action.

Application: Offer simple food with gratitude; pair petitions with commitment to remove self-created obstacles (procrastination, dishonesty, negligence).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: household altar or temple offering area

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.129.19–20 (Caturthī worship and fast); Garuda Purana 1.129.22 (dūrvā/damanā and mantra)

Characters & Entities

• Vighnācan(a) (Gaṇeśa)
• Garuḍa
• Viṣṇu

FAQs

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

This verse presents Śukla Caturthī as an auspicious time for worship of the obstacle-removing deity (Vighnācan/Gaṇeśa), promising fulfillment of aims and the gaining of good fortune.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not describe the post-death journey here; instead, it teaches a dharmic practice (vrata/pūjā) aimed at removing impediments and cultivating auspicious outcomes in life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe Śukla Caturthī with sincere worship and simple sweet offerings (as feasible), focusing on removing inner obstacles (laziness, anger, confusion) and committing to ethical, steady action.