Shloka 28

Devanagari script

दत्त्वा पठेदिमं मन्त्रं पूजयित्वा महेश्वरम् / आवाहितो ऽसि देवेश पूजार्थं परमेश्वर

Transliteration

dattvā paṭhedimaṃ mantraṃ pūjayitvā maheśvaram / āvāhito 'si deveśa pūjārthaṃ parameśvara

Translation

After making the offering, one should recite this mantra and worship Mahēśvara: “O Devēśa, Lord of the gods; O Parameśvara, Supreme Lord—you have been invoked (āvāhita) for the sake of worship.”

Word by Word

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Kriya (Gerund; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund): ‘having given’

• पठेत्: should recite
• पठेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पठ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• इमम्: this
• इमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; मन्त्रं विशेषयति

• मन्त्रम्: mantra
• मन्त्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• पूजयित्वा: having worshipped
• पूजयित्वा: Kriya (Gerund; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय: ‘having worshipped’

• महेश्वरम्: Maheshvara (Great Lord)
• महेश्वरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (महान् ईश्वरः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• आवाहितः: (you are) invoked
• आवाहितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + वह् (धातु) + क्त (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; ‘invoked/installed’

• असि: are
• असि: Kriya (Copula)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• देवेश: O Lord of gods
• देवेश: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानाम् ईशः); पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• पूजार्थम्: for worship
• पूजार्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थे (पूजायै अर्थः/पूजायाः अर्थः); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (for the purpose)

• परमेश्वर: O Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वर: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (परमः ईश्वरः); पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator/Instructional voice within the ritual section (dialogue frame traditionally between Lord Vishnu and Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Avahana (invocation) and worship: the deity is invited to be present ‘for the sake of worship,’ emphasizing relational devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-upasana: approaching the Supreme through name, form, and mantra to cultivate surrender and one-pointedness.

Application: Begin worship (or any sacred practice) with explicit intention: invite the divine/ideal into the heart and act as if in its presence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/altar before Shiva (Maheshvara)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.43 (mantra recitation within puja-vidhi; worship of Maheshvara)

Characters & Entities

• Maheshvara (Shiva)
• Devesha
• Parameshvara

FAQs

What is the importance of avahana (invocation) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that worship is preceded by a formal invocation—acknowledging the deity as present “for the purpose of worship,” which ritually completes the setup of puja.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it provides a ritual instruction—mantra-recitation and worship—often presented in the Garuda Purana as dharmic practices that support spiritual well-being.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before worship, make the intended offering and recite an invocation that consciously invites the deity—treating puja as a deliberate, reverent act rather than a mechanical routine.