Shloka 17

Mantra-Nyāsa and Elemental Maṇḍalas: Nāga Invocation and Garuḍa–Bhairava Dhyāna for Protection

Devanagari script

प्रणवादिनमश्चान्ते नाम्नैव च समन्वितः / सर्वमन्त्रेषु कथितो विधिः स्थापनपूजने

Transliteration

praṇavādinamaścānte nāmnaiva ca samanvitaḥ / sarvamantreṣu kathito vidhiḥ sthāpanapūjane

Translation

In ritual mantras one should begin with the sacred syllable Oṃ (praṇava) and end with the salutation “namaḥ”, joining it with the deity’s name. This procedure is taught for all mantras in rites of installation (sthāpana) and worship.

Word by Word

• praṇava-ādi: beginning with Oṃ (praṇava)
• praṇava-ādi: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: praṇava (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता) एकवचन; विशेषण

• namaḥ: obeisance
• namaḥ: Sambandha (Formula element/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namaḥ (अव्यय/निपात; नमस्)
• Form: नमस्कारार्थक अव्यय (salutatory particle)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• ante: at the end
• ante: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण) एकवचन

• nāmnā: by/with the name
• nāmnā: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण) एकवचन

• eva: indeed; only
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात (emphasis)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• samanvitaḥ: endowed/combined (with)
• samanvitaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-√i (सम् + इ) + kta (क्त) → samanvita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि/भावे (past passive participle)

• sarva-mantreṣu: in all mantras
• sarva-mantreṣu: Adhikarana (Domain/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण) बहुवचन

• kathitaḥ: stated; described
• kathitaḥ: Visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √kath (कथ्) + kta (क्त) → kathita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि (said/declared)

• vidhiḥ: procedure; rule
• vidhiḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता) एकवचन

• sthāpana-pūjane: in installation and worship
• sthāpana-pūjane: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sthāpana (प्रातिपदिक) + pūjana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण) एकवचन; द्वन्द्वसमास (itaretara)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra is properly ‘sealed’ by Oṁ at the beginning and namaḥ at the end, joined to the deity’s name—devotion expressed through correct address and surrender.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-upāsanā through nāma and praṇava; surrender (namaḥ) as ego-softening adjunct to worship.

Application: When forming mantras for worship/installation, prefix with Oṁ, include the deity-name, and close with namaḥ; keep pronunciation and intent steady.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/altar-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.197.16 (nyāsa as preparation); Garuda Purana 1.197.19 (Oṁ…svāhā variant for specific rite)

Characters & Entities

• Om (Praṇava)
• Namaḥ (salutation)

FAQs

What is the importance of beginning a mantra with Oṁ in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Oṁ (praṇava) as the standard auspicious opening for mantras used in worship and installation, marking the rite as Vedic and sanctified.

What does this verse teach about proper mantra construction in puja?

It specifies a common template: start with Oṁ, include the deity’s name, and conclude with ‘namaḥ’, as the general rule for sthāpana and pūjana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When doing daily worship, chant with correct structure—“Oṁ + [deity name] + namaḥ”—to align personal practice with traditional ritual grammar.