Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

प्राकारं तद्वहिर्दद्यात्पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणतः / एवं विष्ण्वाश्रमं कुर्याद्वनैश्चोपवनैर्युतम्

Transliteration

prākāraṃ tadvahirdadyātpañcahastapramāṇataḥ / evaṃ viṣṇvāśramaṃ kuryādvanaiścopavanairyutam

Translation

Outside it, one should construct an enclosing wall, measuring five hastas (cubits) in extent. Thus should one establish a Viṣṇu-āśrama, furnished with groves and adjoining garden-woods.

Word by Word

• प्राकारम्: enclosure wall
• प्राकारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• बहिः: outside
• बहिः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बहिः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; देशवाचक (adverb of place)

• दद्यात्: should place/provide
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणतः: to the measure of five cubits
• पञ्चहस्तप्रमाणतः: Adhikarana (Measure/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पञ्च + हस्त + प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; तत्पुरुषसमासः (पञ्चहस्तस्य प्रमाणम्)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• विष्ण्वाश्रमम्: Vishnu’s hermitage/abode
• विष्ण्वाश्रमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विष्णोः आश्रमः)

• कुर्यात्: should make
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• वनैः: with forests/woods
• वनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन

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

• उपवनैः: with groves/gardens
• उपवनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• युतम्: joined with; accompanied by
• युतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (विष्ण्वाश्रमम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred space is intentionally constructed: boundary (maryādā) plus cultivated nature (vana/upavana) supports dharma and devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-saṃskāra through environment; disciplined outer order supports inner steadiness (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: Design spiritual/community spaces with clear boundaries, cleanliness, and green areas; treat landscaping as part of sādhana and stewardship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: compound boundary and sacred landscape

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.17-18 (interior arrangements); Garuda Purana 1.46.20-21 (vāstu-maṇḍala deities)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of building a prākāra (enclosure wall) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the prākāra as a defining boundary of a Viṣṇu-āśrama, prescribing an outer enclosure of five-hasta measure to formalize and protect the sacred precinct.

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

Here the text emphasizes dhārmic sacred-space design—how to establish a Viṣṇu-centered āśrama with proper boundaries and a sanctified environment of groves and gardens.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When creating a prayer space, temple campus, or āśrama, prioritize clear sacred boundaries and a sattvic environment—trees, gardens, and quiet green zones that support worship and discipline.