Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वादितः समारभ्य कर्तव्यं कुण्डपञ्चकम् / अथवा चतुरश्राणि सर्वाण्येतानि कारयेत्

Transliteration

pūrvāditaḥ samārabhya kartavyaṃ kuṇḍapañcakam / athavā caturaśrāṇi sarvāṇyetāni kārayet

Translation

Beginning from the eastern side, one should prepare the set of five ritual fire‑pits (kuṇḍas); or else, one may have all of them made in square form.

Word by Word

• पूर्वादितः: starting from the east (and so on)
• पूर्वादितः: Adhikarana (Locative sense/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्व + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण), अव्ययीभाव-समासः; अर्थे: ‘पूर्वादौ’ (from the east onward)

• समारभ्य: having begun; starting
• समारभ्य: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्-आ-√रभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund), ‘having begun/starting’

• कर्तव्यम्: should be done
• कर्तव्यम्: Vidheya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (तव्यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषणम् (to be done)

• कुण्डपञ्चकम्: a set of five fire-pits
• कुण्डपञ्चकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुण्ड + पञ्चक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पञ्चकं कुण्डानाम्)

• अथवा: or
• अथवा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथवा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विकल्पार्थक-समुच्चय/निपात (or)

• चतुरश्राणि: square (ones)
• चतुरश्राणि: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुरश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (four-cornered/square)

• सर्वाणि: all
• सर्वाणि: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• एतानि: these
• एतानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• कारयेत्: should have (them) made; should cause to be done
• कारयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) [णिच् causative: कारय-]
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोगः (causative)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual correctness (vidhi) and spatial order (dik-krama) as a means to efficacy (siddhi).

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kāṇḍa as purificatory discipline (citta-śuddhi) preparing for higher knowledge.

Application: When performing any sacred act, begin with clear orientation and standardized procedure; in modern terms: plan the space, sequence, and measurements before execution.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: yajña-śālā / kuṇḍa-maṇḍapa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (śānti-homa/maṇḍapa-vidhi context)

FAQs

What is the importance of the five kundas (kuṇḍapañcaka) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes correct ritual setup—preparing five designated fire-pits in proper orientation or standard square form—so the rite is performed according to dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it focuses on the prescribed ritual arrangement that supports the proper performance of post-death rites, which the Garuda Purana links with orderly transitions and auspicious outcomes for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing traditional rites, follow competent guidance for correct orientation and construction of ritual spaces—precision in dharmic procedure is treated as spiritually meaningful.