Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चभिर्बहुभिर्वाथ कुर्यात्पाद्यार्घ्यमेव च / मुद्रिकाभिस्तथा वस्त्रैर्गन्धमाल्यानुलेपनैः

Transliteration

pañcabhirbahubhirvātha kuryātpādyārghyameva ca / mudrikābhistathā vastrairgandhamālyānulepanaiḥ

Translation

With five offerings—or with many—one should duly present the pādya (water for the feet) and the arghya; likewise one should offer rings, garments, fragrances, garlands, and fragrant unguents.

Word by Word

• पञ्चभिः: with five (items)
• पञ्चभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Numeral adjective; Instrumental plural

• बहुभिः: with many (items)
• बहुभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Sequencing)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमबोधक (then)

• कुर्यात्: should perform
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should do/make

• पाद्य: water for washing the feet
• पाद्य: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (object)

• अर्घ्यम्: honor-offering (arghya)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (only/indeed)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (and)

• मुद्रिकाभिः: with rings/seals
• मुद्रिकाभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Manner/also)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक (thus/also)

• वस्त्रैः: with garments/cloths
• वस्त्रैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• गन्धमाल्यानुलेपनैः: with perfumes, garlands, and unguents
• गन्धमाल्यानुलेपनैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + माल्य + अनुलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (perfumes, garlands, and unguents); Instrumental plural

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotion is expressed through respectful service (upacāra) and generous offering, scaled to capacity (five or many).

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-arpana-buddhi: offering actions and possessions as worship, cultivating humility and non-possessiveness.

Application: Offer simple essentials if limited (minimum set), or expand offerings when able; prioritize sincerity, cleanliness, and respectful sequence (pādya then arghya, then adornments).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (upacāra sequence around mandapa/vedi rites)

FAQs

What is the importance of pādya and arghya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes honoring the recipient (deity, revered person, or ritual focus) through respectful water-offerings—pādya for the feet and arghya as a formal reception—done with a minimum set or expanded offerings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader ritual framework: correct offerings and observances are presented as dharmic supports that aid auspicious outcomes connected with post-death rites and spiritual merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform worship or ancestral/death-related observances with sincerity—offer at least the essentials (water-offerings) and, if possible, additional respectful items like cloth, fragrance, and garlands.