Shloka 65

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

Devanagari script

जातवेदसमानीय अग्रतस्तं निवेशयेत् / अस्त्रेण ज्वालयेद्वह्निं कवचेन तु वेष्टयेत्

Transliteration

jātavedasamānīya agratastaṃ niveśayet / astreṇa jvālayedvahniṃ kavacena tu veṣṭayet

Translation

Bringing Jātavedas, the sacrificial fire, forward, one should place it in front; one should kindle the fire with the mantric ‘astra’ and then enclose it with the protective ‘kavaca’.

Word by Word

• जातवेदसम्: Jātavedas (Agni)
• जातवेदसम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जातवेदस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—जातः वेदः यस्य (कर्मधारय/बहुव्रीहि-प्रायः; अग्निनाम)

• आनीय: having brought
• आनीय: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + नी (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-प्राय (absolutive/gerund) ‘आनीय’ (having brought)

• अग्रतः: in front
• अग्रतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• तम्: him/that (Agni)
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• निवेशयेत्: should place/install
• निवेशयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + विश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative sense: cause to be placed)

• अस्त्रेण: with the Astra (mantra)
• अस्त्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• ज्वालयेत्: should kindle
• ज्वालयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्वल् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; णिच् (causative: cause to blaze)

• वह्निम्: the fire
• वह्निम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वह्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कवचेन: with the Kavaca (protective mantra/armor)
• कवचेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• तु: then/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात-अव्यय (particle)

• वेष्टयेत्: should wrap/enclose
• वेष्टयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वेष्ट् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; णिच् (causative: cause to be wrapped)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual technology: install Agni properly, activate with empowering mantra (astra), and secure with protective mantra (kavaca).

Vedantic Theme: Śabda (mantra) as operative power within karma; disciplined action channels tejas toward auspicious ends.

Application: Begin important undertakings with ‘activation’ (clear start) and ‘protection’ (safeguards), mirroring astra/kavaca sequencing.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: homa-kuṇḍa (fire-pit) before the officiant

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (mantra-acts: astra, kavaca; homa procedure)

Characters & Entities

• Agni (Jātavedas)
• Vahni

FAQs

What is the importance of Jātavedas (Agni) in the Garuda Purana rites?

This verse emphasizes establishing Agni in front as the central purifying presence for the rite, to carry offerings and safeguard the ritual process.

How does this verse explain protection during death-ritual procedures?

It prescribes kindling the fire with an ‘astra’ (mantric activation) and then surrounding it with a ‘kavaca’ (protective covering), indicating both energizing and shielding the ritual space.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform rites with clarity, sanctity, and protection—ensuring the ritual fire is properly established and the ceremony is conducted with disciplined, reverent safeguards.