Shloka 5

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

ॐ श्रीधरासनदेवताः आगच्छता / ॐ समस्तपरिवारायच्युतासनाय नमः

Transliteration

oṃ śrīdharāsanadevatāḥ āgacchatā / oṃ samastaparivārāyacyutāsanāya namaḥ

Translation

Om. O deities presiding over Śrīdhara’s seat, please come. Om. Salutations to Acyuta’s seat, together with the entire divine retinue.

Word by Word

• oṃ: Oṃ
• oṃ: Sambodhana (Mantric particle/मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: oṃ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (मन्त्र-प्रणव)

• śrīdhara-āsana-devatāḥ: the deities of Śrīdhara’s seat
• śrīdhara-āsana-devatāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrīdhara + āsana + devatā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः ‘श्रीधरस्य आसनस्य देवताः’

• āgacchatā: come (you two)
• āgacchatā: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + gam (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, द्विवचन; धातु: गम् = to come; उपसर्ग: आ

• oṃ: Oṃ
• oṃ: Sambodhana (Mantric particle/मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: oṃ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (मन्त्र-प्रणव)

• samasta-parivāra: with the entire retinue
• samasta-parivāra: Sampradana (Dative qualifier/सम्प्रदान-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: samasta + parivāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘समस्तः परिवारः यस्य’ इति विशेषणवत् (अच्युतासनाय)

• acyuta-āsanāya: to the seat of Acyuta
• acyuta-āsanāya: Sampradana (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: acyuta + āsana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः ‘अच्युतस्य आसनम्’

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Sambandha (Salutation particle/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (नमस्कारार्थक निपात)

Speaker

Narrator/ritual instruction within Garuda Purana (invocatory mantra addressed to Vishnu’s seat and attendant deities)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Arcana recognizes not only the deity but also the supporting divine ‘retinue’ (parivāra) and the sanctity of the seat as part of worship.

Vedantic Theme: All supports (upādhi) in worship are honored as manifestations within īśvara-upāsanā; devotion expressed through completeness and attentiveness.

Application: Before main japa/pūjā, consciously ‘invite’ sacred attention: honor the space, seat, and supportive conditions; avoid rushing into practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: altar/āsana within ritual maṇḍala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.4 (āsana-pūjā instruction); Garuda Purana 1.30.6 (supporting powers and cosmic supports invoked)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Śrīdhara/Acyuta)
• Āsanadevatāḥ (presiding deities of the seat)

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking āsanadevatāḥ in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse functions as an invitation and consecration: it requests the presiding deities of the ritual seat to arrive, establishing sacred presence and correctness before worship proceeds.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals or śrāddha practices?

Even in rites connected with śrāddha and dharmic observances, proper invocation and sanctification are emphasized; this mantra reflects the broader Garuda Purana approach that ritual acts begin with inviting divine presence and offering reverence to Vishnu as the ultimate refuge.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin any serious spiritual practice with a clear invocation and respectful intention—symbolically “preparing the seat” for the divine—so actions are done with reverence, focus, and dharmic discipline.