Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

कृत्वा च वसुभिर्भागं शेषं बद्धा यमादिशेत् / पुनर्गुणितमष्टाभिरृभागं तु भाजयेत्

Transliteration

kṛtvā ca vasubhirbhāgaṃ śeṣaṃ baddhā yamādiśet / punarguṇitamaṣṭābhirṛbhāgaṃ tu bhājayet

Translation

Having first divided it into eight shares in accord with the Vasus, one should bind up the remainder and consign it as ordained by Yama. Then, multiplying again by eight, one should duly apportion the Ṛ‑share.

Word by Word

• kṛtvā: having done/making
• kṛtvā: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kṛ (धातु) > kṛtvā (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

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

• vasubhiḥ: by the Vasus / by eight (vasu as numeral-class)
• vasubhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vasu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; करण (instrumental)

• bhāgam: a share/portion
• bhāgam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• śeṣam: the remainder
• śeṣam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• baddhā: having bound/secured
• baddhā: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bandh (धातु) > baddha (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; अत्र क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbially: having bound/setting aside)

• yama: Yama
• yama: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (as object of ‘ādiśet’)

• ādiśet: should assign/indicate
• ādiśet: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + diś (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; कर्तरि

• punar: again
• punar: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punar (अव्यय)
• Form: पुनरावृत्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb: again)

• guṇitam: multiplied
• guṇitam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: guṇ (धातु) > guṇita (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• aṣṭābhiḥ: by eight
• aṣṭābhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: (संख्या) तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; करण (instrumental: by eight)

• ṛ-bhāgam: the Ṛ-bhāga (named share)
• ṛ-bhāgam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ṛ-bhāga = share of Ṛ/Ṛbhu; reading per text)

• tu: then/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषार्थक निपात (particle)

• bhājayet: should divide/apportion
• bhājayet: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhaj (धातु) [णिच् causative: bhājay-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative: cause to divide/apportion)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right division and assignment: resources/space are to be apportioned by prescribed shares; remainder is handled per authoritative rule (Yama as dharma).

Vedantic Theme: Dharma-niyama governing action; order and restraint as supports for sattvic living.

Application: In rites or projects, follow established allocation rules; treat ‘remainders’ (leftovers, waste, unresolved parts) responsibly per ethical guidelines.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/legal instruction space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.25 (vāstu measurement setup)

Characters & Entities

• Vasus
• Yama

FAQs

What is the importance of dividing offerings into eight parts in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes an eightfold division (linked with the Vasus) as a rule-based method to allocate ritual portions correctly and keep the rite aligned with dharma.

How does this verse relate to Yama in Garuda Purana teachings?

It states that the remainder after division should be bound and consigned according to Yama’s ordinance, reflecting Yama’s role as the authority governing post-death order and ritual accountability.

What is a practical application of this instruction today?

When performing śrāddha or related rites, follow a qualified tradition/priestly guideline for precise apportioning of offerings rather than improvising, emphasizing discipline, reverence, and correctness in ritual duty.