Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

मन्त्रन्यासं गुरुः कृत्वा ततः कर्म समारभेत् / प्रासादस्याग्रतः कुर्यान्मण्डपं दशहस्तकम्

Transliteration

mantranyāsaṃ guruḥ kṛtvā tataḥ karma samārabhet / prāsādasyāgrataḥ kuryānmaṇḍapaṃ daśahastakam

Translation

After the guru has performed mantra-nyāsa (the placing of mantras), he should then begin the ritual work. Before the temple shrine, he should construct a maṇḍapa measuring ten hastas.

Word by Word

• मन्त्रन्यासम्: the placement/nyāsa of mantras
• मन्त्रन्यासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + न्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘मन्त्राणां न्यासः’ इति; Accusative singular

• गुरुः: the guru
• गुरुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• कृत्वा: having performed
• कृत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having done’

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• कर्म: the rite/ritual action
• कर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• समारभेत्: should begin
• समारभेत्: Kriyā (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आरभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should commence

• प्रासादस्य: of the temple/palace
• प्रासादस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• अग्रतः: in front (of)
• अग्रतः: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (in front)

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

• मण्डपम्: a pavilion/maṇḍapa
• मण्डपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• दशहस्तकम्: ten cubits (hands) long
• दशहस्तकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Measure qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + हस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (ten-hands in measure); Accusative singular qualifying मण्डपम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy requires prior consecration of the body/space through mantra-nyāsa, then orderly commencement of karmas in a properly prepared venue.

Vedantic Theme: Mantra as a vehicle for focusing consciousness; disciplined action (karma) performed with sanctified intention supports purification and devotion.

Application: Begin any major rite with preparatory sanctification (nyāsa/ācamanā/saṅkalpa); ensure the physical setting is prepared to specification before proceeding.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple precinct

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (mandapa/vedi measurements and preparations)

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Prasada (temple shrine)
• Mandapa

FAQs

What is the importance of mantra-nyāsa in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse places mantra-nyāsa as the prerequisite that sanctifies the officiant and the rite, after which the main ritual work is properly begun.

What does this verse prescribe about constructing a maṇḍapa?

It instructs that a maṇḍapa (pavilion) should be made in front of the temple shrine, with a specified standard measure of ten hastas.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin any sacred undertaking with proper preparation and consecration under qualified guidance, and follow clear standards (measurements/procedure) rather than improvising.