Shloka 22

Devatā-Pratiṣṭhā: Maṇḍapa Construction, Dikpāla Worship, Kalaśa-Abhiṣeka, Nyāsa and Homa Procedures

Devanagari script

किञ्चेदधातु आचत्वाभित्वादेति च सप्तमी / इमारुद्रेति दिक्यालान्पूजयित्वा विचक्षणः

Transliteration

kiñcedadhātu ācatvābhitvādeti ca saptamī / imārudreti dikyālānpūjayitvā vicakṣaṇaḥ

Translation

Then, having placed a small offering and recited the seventh mantra beginning with “imā rudre…”, the discerning man should worship the guardians of the directions and the presiding deities of the quarters.

Word by Word

• किञ्चित्: somewhat; a little
• किञ्चित्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण-भाव)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; अनिश्चितपरिमाणवाचक (indefinite particle/adverbial use)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (demonstrative pronoun used substantively)

• धातु: element; constituent; (ritual) substance
• धातु: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धातु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• आचत्वाभित्वादेति: (saying) “ācatvābhitvāda”
• आचत्वाभित्वादेति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आचत्व + अभित्वाद (प्रातिपदिक; समास/पदसमूह) + इति (अव्यय)
• Form: इति-समाप्तिसूचक अव्यय; मन्त्र/पद-उद्धरण (quotative particle)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• सप्तमी: the seventh (case); locative
• सप्तमी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्तमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विभक्तिनाम (name of the 7th case)

• इमा: these
• इमा: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इदम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• रुद्र: Rudra
• रुद्र: Sambandha (Apposition/सम्बोधन-भाव)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; देवतानाम

• इति: thus; “...”,
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्तिसूचक अव्यय (quotative)

• दिक्: directions
• दिक्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिश् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• यालान्: (unclear; possibly ‘guardians/attendants’)
• यालान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: याल (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेद/दुर्लभ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; अर्थानिश्चित (unclear lexeme in received text)

• पूजयित्वा: having worshipped
• पूजयित्वा: Kriyā (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having worshipped)

• विचक्षणः: the discerning one; the expert
• विचक्षणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual correctness (vidhi) and honoring the guardians of space to secure auspiciousness and protection.

Vedantic Theme: Ṛta/dharma as cosmic order reflected in disciplined action; sanctification of space as preparation for higher worship.

Application: Before any major undertaking, consciously ‘orient’ oneself—acknowledge environment, set boundaries, and begin with a short invocation for clarity and protection.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual mandala / directional grid

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (ritual sequence: dikpāla-pūjā, homa-sāmagrī, nyāsa, śuddhi)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra
• Dikpālas (directional guardians)

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping the Dikpālas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents it as a required ritual step: honoring the presiding deities of the directions ensures the rite is properly consecrated and protected on all sides.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes correct ritual performance (ācāra) and mantra-recitation, which the Garuda Purana treats as supportive conditions for spiritual order and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing any traditional pūjā or saṃskāra, include respectful invocation of the directions (east, south, west, north, and intermediates) and follow a consistent mantra/sequence rather than improvising.