Shloka 16

Pavitrāropaṇa-vidhi

Rite of Investing Hari with the Pavitra

Devanagari script

विमाने स्थण्डिले चैव एतत्सामान्यलक्षणम् / शिवोद्धृतं पवित्रं तु प्रतिमायां च कारयेत्

Transliteration

vimāne sthaṇḍile caiva etatsāmānyalakṣaṇam / śivoddhṛtaṃ pavitraṃ tu pratimāyāṃ ca kārayet

Translation

Whether in the vimāna (temple-shrine) or upon the consecrated ground-altar (sthaṇḍila), these are the general marks. The sanctifying rite (pavitra), said to have been established by Śiva, should also be performed for a sacred image (pratimā).

Word by Word

• विमाने: in a vimāna/temple structure
• विमाने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• स्थण्डिले: on the ground/altar-spot
• स्थण्डिले: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थण्डिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• सामान्यलक्षणम्: general characteristic
• सामान्यलक्षणम्: Karta/Karma (Predicate noun/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामान्य (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सामान्यं लक्षणम्)

• शिवोद्धृतम्: taken from/raised by Śiva
• शिवोद्धृतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्धृत (उद्+हृ धातु; क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शिवेन उद्धृतम्/शिवात् उद्धृतम्)

• पवित्रम्: a sacred thread/amulet (pavitra)
• पवित्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात

• प्रतिमायाम्: in/on an image (idol)
• प्रतिमायाम्: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय

• कारयेत्: should cause to be made/should have made
• कारयेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: णिच्-प्रेरण (causative); विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Universality of ritual marks and the necessity of sanctification (pavitrīkaraṇa) for both place and image.

Vedantic Theme: Sacred form (mūrti) as a support for devotion; purity of upacāra enabling focused bhakti and right action.

Application: Apply the same general criteria for pavitraka/marks in both permanent shrines and temporary altars; ensure the image also receives the prescribed sanctifying rite.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: temple-shrine / consecrated ground-altar

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43 (pavitraka-lakṣaṇa; transition from measurement to application in shrine/altar and image)

Characters & Entities

• Śiva
• Pratimā (sacred image)
• Vimāna (temple shrine)
• Sthaṇḍila (ritual altar ground)

FAQs

What is the importance of the pavitra rite in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents pavitra as a formal sanctifying/consecratory act that should be performed according to standard marks (sāmānya-lakṣaṇa), ensuring ritual purity and legitimacy of worship.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct ritual order (ācāra) and consecration, it supports dharmic living and proper worship—seen in the Purāṇic framework as aiding spiritual merit (puṇya) that shapes one’s post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When establishing a home shrine or commissioning a temple image, follow recognized consecration/purification procedures under qualified guidance rather than treating the image or altar as merely decorative.