Shloka 4

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

तत्त्रिभागेन कर्तव्यः पञ्चभागेन वा पुनः / निर्गमस्तु शुकाङ्घ्रेश्च उच्छ्रायः शिखरार्धगः

Transliteration

tattribhāgena kartavyaḥ pañcabhāgena vā punaḥ / nirgamastu śukāṅghreśca ucchrāyaḥ śikharārdhagaḥ

Translation

It should be made in three parts—or again, in five parts. The outlet is to be set at the measured point called the “parrot’s foot,” and its height should rise to half the summit.

Word by Word

• tat: that (measure/thing)
• tat: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• tri-bhāgena: by a third part / by dividing into three
• tri-bhāgena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (त्रिभागः = three-part portion)

• kartavyaḥ: should be made/done
• kartavyaḥ: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु) + tavya (कृत्प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृदन्त (तव्यत्-प्रत्यय), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधेय/कर्तव्यता (gerundive: ‘to be done’)

• pañca-bhāgena: by a fifth part / by dividing into five
• pañca-bhāgena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pañca (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (पञ्चभागः = five-part portion)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात (disjunctive particle: ‘or’)

• punaḥ: again; further
• punaḥ: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति/पुनः-शब्द (adverb: ‘again/further’)

• nirgamaḥ: the projection/exit (outgoing part)
• nirgamaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• tu: indeed; but
• tu: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधानार्थक/विरोधार्थक-निपात (particle: ‘but/indeed’)

• śuka-aṅghreḥ: of the śuka-foot (a named part)
• śuka-aṅghreḥ: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuka (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅghri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (शुकाङ्घ्रिः = parrot-foot/‘śuka’ foot)

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

• ucchrāyaḥ: height
• ucchrāyaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ucchrāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• śikhara-ardha-gaḥ: reaching half the peak
• śikhara-ardha-gaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śikhara (प्रातिपदिक) + ardha (प्रातिपदिक) + ga (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-आधार: √gam ‘to go’ से)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (शिखरार्धगः = ‘going up to half of the peak’)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual-architectural correctness (pramāṇa) as a form of dharma in constructing sacred space.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-ārādhana through ordered form; outer order supporting inner sattva.

Application: When designing/commissioning a shrine or ritual structure, follow proportional canons and verified measurements rather than improvisation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/altar architectural setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.5-8 (continued proportional rules for śikhara, vedi, garbha, bhitti, pradakṣiṇā)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Garuḍa

FAQs

What is the importance of three-part or five-part division in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes precise proportional construction—either in three or five segments—showing that ritual or sacred structures are to be made according to defined measurements rather than personal preference.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

This specific verse is technical and concerns proportion/placement (an outlet and its height), not the soul’s journey; it reflects the broader Purāṇic theme that correct procedure (vidhi) supports dharmic outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing rites or setting up ritual spaces, follow an authentic tradition or competent guidance—this verse highlights that accuracy in method is itself part of dharma.