Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

वास्तोष्पतीति मन्त्रेण वास्तुदोषोपशान्तये / कुम्भस्य पूर्वतो भूतं गणदेवं बलिं हरेत्

Transliteration

vāstoṣpatīti mantreṇa vāstudoṣopaśāntaye / kumbhasya pūrvato bhūtaṃ gaṇadevaṃ baliṃ haret

Translation

To pacify faults of the dwelling (vāstu-doṣa), with the mantra beginning “Vāstoṣpati…”, one should offer a bali—ritual food offering—to the Gaṇa-deity, placing it in front (to the east) of the kumbha.

Word by Word

• वास्तोष्पति: (the word) Vāstoṣpati
• वास्तोष्पति: Sambandha (नाम/Mantra title)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास्तोष्पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (as mantra-name stem in quotation), एकवचन (पदनाम)

• इति: thus
• इति: Quotation marker
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-चिह्न/quotative particle

• मन्त्रेण: with the mantra
• मन्त्रेण: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• वास्तुदोषोपशान्तये: for the pacification of dwelling-defects
• वास्तुदोषोपशान्तये: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Purpose-Dative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास्तु + दोष + उपशान्ति (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (वास्तुदोषस्य उपशान्तिः)

• कुम्भस्य: of the pot
• कुम्भस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• पूर्वतः: in front (to the east)
• पूर्वतः: Kriya-visheshaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्वतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण/adverb (in front/eastward)

• भूतम्: the spirit-being (bhūta)
• भूतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक; भू धातोः क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• गणदेवम्: the gaṇa-deity
• गणदेवम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण + देव (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (गणानां देवः)

• बलिम्: offering
• बलिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हरेत्: should offer/bring (as offering)
• हरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, within the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Before principal śrāddha offerings; as vāstu/bhūta-śānti preliminary

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Doṣa-śānti: ritual faults and spatial disharmony are addressed through mantra and offering, acknowledging seen/unseen stakeholders in dharmic action.

Vedantic Theme: Karma’s efficacy depends on saṃskāra and śuddhi; harmonizing the environment supports sattva and steadiness of mind.

Application: Include vāstu-śānti recitation and a simple bali offering (as per one’s tradition) when beginning major domestic rites, especially in a new/renovated space.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: vāstu-aligned offering spot

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.34 (Vāstoṣpati japa); Garuda Purana 1.48.32-33 (kalaśa worship and purification)

Characters & Entities

• Vāstoṣpati
• Gaṇa-deva
• Bhūta

FAQs

What is the importance of Vāstoṣpati in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Vāstoṣpati as the presiding power of the dwelling/site; invoking the “Vāstoṣpati” mantra is prescribed specifically to pacify vāstu-related afflictions (vāstu-doṣa).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it gives a ritual method for harmonizing the living space by addressing subtle influences (bhūtas/gaṇas) that are believed to disturb wellbeing and ritual efficacy.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional vāstu-śānti, follow a structured, respectful offering (bali) alongside mantra-recitation, acknowledging the site’s presiding forces and maintaining cleanliness, order, and ethical conduct in the home.