Shloka 16

Vāstu-pūjā, Vāstu-maṇḍala Deities, Site Computations, and Doorway/Tree Prescriptions

Devanagari script

उदगाश्रयं च वारुण्यां वातायनसमन्वितम् / समित्कुशेन्धनस्थानमायुधानां च नैरृते

Transliteration

udagāśrayaṃ ca vāruṇyāṃ vātāyanasamanvitam / samitkuśendhanasthānamāyudhānāṃ ca nairṛte

Translation

To the north is the water‑reservoir; in the western quarter is the Varuṇa‑related water area furnished with ventilating openings; in the south‑east is the place for fuel‑sticks (samit), kuśa grass, and firewood; and in the south‑west is the place for weapons.

Word by Word

• उदक्-आश्रयम्: water-reservoir; water-place
• उदक्-आश्रयम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदक्/उदग् (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (उदकस्य आश्रयः)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक

• वारुण्याम्: in the west (Varuṇa’s) direction
• वारुण्याम्: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वारुणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वातायन-समन्वितम्: provided with windows
• वातायन-समन्वितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वातायन (प्रातिपदिक) + समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्ताधारित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वातायनेन समन्वितम्)

• समित्-कुश-इन्धन-स्थानम्: place for fuel-sticks, kuśa grass, and firewood
• समित्-कुश-इन्धन-स्थानम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समित् (प्रातिपदिक) + कुश (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्धन (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (समिधां कुशानाम् इन्धनस्य च स्थानम्)

• आयुधानाम्: of weapons
• आयुधानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक

• नैरृते: in the south-west (Nirṛti’s) direction
• नैरृते: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैरृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (दिशिवाचक)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Elemental alignment: place water, air-openings, fire-fuel, and protective implements according to direction to sustain order and safety.

Vedantic Theme: Pañca-mahābhūta harmony in lived space; dharma as maintaining equilibrium of elements and functions.

Application: Site water storage appropriately; ensure western water-area has ventilation; keep fuel/ritual kindling in the fire corner; store weapons/tools in the heavy south-west zone for stability and security.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: directional quadrants (vāstu)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.14-15 (kitchen/altar/rooms complete the plan)

Characters & Entities

• Varuṇa
• Nairṛta (directional deity/quarter)

FAQs

What is the importance of directions (dik) in the Garuda Purana’s guidance?

This verse maps specific functions to specific quarters—water to the north/west (Varuṇa association), fuel and ritual materials to the south-east, and weapons to the south-west—showing that ritual order and household order are aligned with directional principles.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings beyond afterlife topics?

It reflects the Purana’s āchāra (conduct) and practical instruction sections: correct placement of resources and ritual items supports purity, safety, and disciplined living, which the text treats as foundational to dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep water storage/clean water sources in an appropriate, clean zone; place fire/heat-related items and ritual fuel where they are safely managed; store sharp tools/weapons in a secure, designated area—maintaining order, cleanliness, and mindful living.