Shloka 8

Devanagari script

आह्वानं स्थापनं रोधं सन्निधानं निवेशनम् / पाद्यमा चमनं स्नानमर्घ्यं स्रगनुलेपनम्

Transliteration

āhvānaṃ sthāpanaṃ rodhaṃ sannidhānaṃ niveśanam / pādyamā camanaṃ snānamarghyaṃ sraganulepanam

Translation

The rite consists of: invocation (āhvāna), installation (sthāpana), securing the rite (rodha), drawing the deity’s presence near (sannidhāna), and seating the deity (niveśana); then offering water for the feet, ācaman water for sipping, bathing, the arghya offering, garlands, and anointing with fragrant unguents.

Word by Word

• आह्वानम्: invocation
• आह्वानम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ-ह्वा (धातु) → आह्वान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम (action noun)

• स्थापनम्: establishing (installation)
• स्थापनम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्था (धातु) → स्थापन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

• रोधम्: restraining/warding
• रोधम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुध् (धातु) → रोध (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

• सन्निधानम्: bringing into presence
• सन्निधानम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम् + नि + धा (धातु) → सन्निधान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

• निवेशनम्: placing/enshrining
• निवेशनम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नि + विश् (धातु) → निवेशन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

• पाद्यम्: water for washing the feet
• पाद्यम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; पूजोपचार-नाम

• आचमनम्: sipping water (ritual)
• आचमनम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आ + चम (धातु) → आचमन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्ना (धातु) → स्नान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

• अर्घ्यम्: offering (arghya)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; पूजोपचार-नाम

• स्रक्: garland
• स्रक्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्रज्/स्रक् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; (समासे पूर्वपदम्)

• अनुलेपनम्: anointing (with sandal/paste)
• अनुलेपनम्: Karma (Item in list/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनु + लिप् (धातु) → अनुलेपन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; भाववाचक-नाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pūjā is structured as welcoming and serving the deity through sequential upacāras, cultivating presence (sannidhāna) and reverence.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-upāsanā as a means to concentrate mind; ritual order (krama) supports inner order and sattva.

Application: Follow a consistent pūjā sequence: invoke, establish, secure the rite, invite presence, seat; then offer pādya, ācamana, snāna, arghya, garlands, and unguents with mindfulness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual_space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.18.9 (remaining upacāras and aṅgas)

FAQs

What is the importance of āhvāna (invocation) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse places āhvāna first, indicating that worship begins by consciously inviting the deity’s presence before any physical offerings are made.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than describing the after-death journey, this verse outlines a disciplined worship-sequence; such ordered ritual and purity are presented as supports for dharma that shape one’s destiny.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Follow a clear, respectful order in worship—begin with intention (invocation), maintain purity (ācamana, snāna), and offer with reverence (arghya, garland, anointing).