Shloka 10

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

अभिषेकं तथा वस्त्त्रं ततो यज्ञोपवीतकम् / गन्धं पुष्पं तथा धूपं दीपमन्नं प्रदक्षिणम्

Transliteration

abhiṣekaṃ tathā vasttraṃ tato yajñopavītakam / gandhaṃ puṣpaṃ tathā dhūpaṃ dīpamannaṃ pradakṣiṇam

Translation

One should perform the abhiṣeka (ceremonial bathing), offer clothing, and then the sacred thread (yajñopavīta); also offer fragrance, flowers, incense, a lamp, food, and finally pradakṣiṇa—reverent circumambulation.

Word by Word

• abhiṣekam: ablution (ritual bathing)
• abhiṣekam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: abhiṣeka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• tathā: also; likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अनुक्रमवाचक अव्यय (also/likewise)

• vastram: cloth; garment
• vastram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vastra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; पाठभेदः: वस्त्त्रं (=वस्त्रं)

• tataḥ: then; thereafter
• tataḥ: Adhikarana (Temporal/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक/अपादानार्थक अव्यय (then/thereafter)

• yajñopavītakam: sacred thread
• yajñopavītakam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + upavīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (yajña’s upavīta)

• gandham: fragrance; sandal paste
• gandham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• puṣpam: flower
• puṣpam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• tathā: also
• tathā: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयवाचक अव्यय

• dhūpam: incense
• dhūpam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• dīpam: lamp
• dīpam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dīpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• annam: food offering
• annam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• pradakṣiṇam: circumambulation
• pradakṣiṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (as an act)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, ritual teaching context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Upacāra-pūjā as embodied devotion: offering purity, dignity (vastra), sacred identity (yajñopavīta), and sensory offerings culminating in circumambulation.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga within bhakti: action offered to the Lord purifies the doer (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: Follow a simple pūjā checklist: bathe/clean, offer cloth or symbolic cloth, offer sacred thread (or its substitute), gandha-puṣpa-dhūpa-dīpa-naivedya, then pradakṣiṇā with mindful gratitude.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/home shrine

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.11 (japa count and completion); Garuda Purana 1.30.12-13 (dhyāna and form-visualization)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering abhiṣeka, dīpa, and anna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a standard sequence of worship: purification through abhiṣeka, reverence through light (dīpa), and gratitude/sustenance through food offering (anna/naivedya), completing devotion with pradakṣiṇā.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes right ritual conduct (ācāra) and devotional discipline, which the Garuda Purana treats as supportive of merit (puṇya) and spiritual steadiness that shape one’s post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a simple, consistent worship routine—cleanliness, a small lamp, a sincere food offering, and respectful pradakṣiṇā—focusing on intention and dharmic living rather than mere display.