Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

धूम्रवर्णो भालचन्द्रो दशमस्त विनायकः / गणपतिर्हस्तिमुखो द्वादशारे यजेद्गणम्

Transliteration

dhūmravarṇo bhālacandro daśamasta vināyakaḥ / gaṇapatirhastimukho dvādaśāre yajedgaṇam

Translation

He is smoke-hued, with the moon upon his forehead; the ten-headed Vināyaka—Gaṇapati, elephant-faced. One should worship that Gaṇa in a twelve-spoked maṇḍala/cakra.

Word by Word

• धूम्रवर्णः: smoke-colored
• धूम्रवर्णः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धूम्र (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (धूम्रः वर्णः यस्य)

• भालचन्द्रः: having the moon on the forehead
• भालचन्द्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाल (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (भाले चन्द्रः यस्य)

• दशमः: tenth
• दशमः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक विशेषण

• अस्त: (textual variant/unclear)
• अस्त: Sambandha (Textual element)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अस्त (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ)
• Form: अव्यय; पाठभेद/संदिग्धपाठ—सम्भवतः 'अष्ट' (eighth) अथवा 'अस्त' इति; अर्थे अनिश्चित

• विनायकः: Vināyaka
• विनायकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विनायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• गणपतिः: lord of the gaṇas
• गणपतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (गणानां पतिः)

• हस्तिमुखः: elephant-faced
• हस्तिमुखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (हस्तिनः मुखं यस्य)

• द्वादशारे: in/with the twelve-spoked (wheel/diagram)
• द्वादशारे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वादश (प्रातिपदिक) + अर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; (द्वादश अराः यस्मिन्/यस्य)

• यजेत्: should worship
• यजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• गणम्: the group/gaṇa (Gaṇeśa’s retinue / Gaṇeśa)
• गणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Form-names joined to mandala worship: devotion expressed through sacred geometry and visualization.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā as mind-training: external mandala supports internal dhyāna and vighna-śānti.

Application: Create a twelve-spoked cakra/mandala for Gaṇapati worship; perform nāma-arcana on spokes; use for beginnings and remedial rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space/mandala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.129.25 (name-list continuation); Garuda Purana 1.129.27 (pañcamī timing)

Characters & Entities

• Vinayaka
• Ganapati

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping Vinayaka (Ganapati) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Vinayaka as the leader of the gaṇas and prescribes his worship, indicating his role in removing obstacles and ensuring success in rites and spiritual practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct worship and ritual order (beginning with obstacle-removal through Ganapati), it supports the broader Garuda Purana framework where proper dharma and rites aid spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin important religious duties or life undertakings with a Ganapati invocation, and if following a ritual tradition, use a prescribed mandala/yantra form (here, a twelve-spoked diagram) with focused remembrance.