Shloka 20

Viṣṇu-pūjāvidhi: Śuddhi, Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Āsana-devatā Pūjā, Upacāras, and Stotra

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणं ततो जप्यं ततस्तस्मिन्सर्पयेत् / अङ्गादीनां स्वमन्त्रैश्च पूजां कुर्वीत साधकः

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇaṃ tato japyaṃ tatastasminsarpayet / aṅgādīnāṃ svamantraiśca pūjāṃ kurvīta sādhakaḥ

Translation

Then one should circumambulate (it), then recite the prescribed japa; thereafter, one should make the offering there. The practitioner should perform worship of the limbs and related parts as well, using their respective mantras.

Word by Word

• pradakṣiṇam: circumambulation
• pradakṣiṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (Context/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• japyam: chanting/japa
• japyam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: japya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (Gerundive used as noun)

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adhikaraṇa (Context/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• tasmin: in him/that (deity)
• tasmin: Adhikaraṇa (Location/Locus)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• samarpayet: should offer/dedicate
• samarpayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ṛ (धातु)
• Form: Causative, Vidhilin (Optative), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• aṅgādīnām: of the limbs and others
• aṅgādīnām: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅgādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• svamantraiḥ: with their own mantras
• svamantraiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svamantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• pūjām: worship
• pūjām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kurvīta: should perform
• kurvīta: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Vidhilin (Optative), Atmanepada, Prathama Purusha (3rd), Singular

• sādhakaḥ: the aspirant/practitioner
• sādhakaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Embodied devotion: movement (pradakshina), speech-mind discipline (japa), and consecrated action (offering) integrated with angapuja via specific mantras.

Vedantic Theme: Upasana as a means to chitta-ekagrata; ritual limbs mirror inner ‘limbs’ of practice, preparing for higher knowledge.

Application: After offerings, do clockwise pradakshina, then a fixed-count japa; conclude with offering and angapuja/nyasa using the appropriate mantras for each limb/aspect.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: deity/yantra/linga/altar locus (the object circumambulated)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.31.19 (upacaras); Garuda Purana 1.31.21-22 (mula-mantra and angamantras list)

FAQs

What is the importance of pradakṣiṇā, japa, and offering in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse presents a standard ritual sequence—circumambulation, mantra-recitation, and offering—showing that devotion is expressed through both bodily action (pradakṣiṇā) and sacred speech (japa), culminating in a formal act of giving (offering).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

Rather than describing the soul’s journey directly, this verse emphasizes correct ritual performance (ācāra), which Garuda Purana treats as supportive for purification, merit (puṇya), and orderly religious life—foundational themes that later connect to afterlife discussions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing any worship, keep a disciplined order: begin with respectful movement (pradakṣiṇā), continue with focused mantra repetition (japa), and conclude with a sincere offering—while using the appropriate mantras for each part of the worship.