Shloka 71

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

Devanagari script

विततैर्वेष्टितो वह्निः स्वयं सान्निध्यमाव्रजेत् / अग्नेस्तु रक्षणार्थाय यदुक्तं कर्म न्त्रवित्

Transliteration

vitatairveṣṭito vahniḥ svayaṃ sānnidhyamāvrajet / agnestu rakṣaṇārthāya yaduktaṃ karma ntravit

Translation

When the fire is properly spread out and enclosed as prescribed, it of itself draws near—becoming present. Therefore, for the protection and safeguarding of Agni, one who knows the mantras should perform the rite that has been taught.

Word by Word

• विततैः: with spread out (darbhas)
• विततैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-तन् (धातु) → vitata (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषणम् (दर्भैः—अध्याहृत/पूर्वपदसंबन्ध)

• वेष्टितः: wrapped/encircled
• वेष्टितः: Karta (Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेṣṭ् (धातु) → veṣṭita (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषणम् (वह्निः इति)

• वह्निः: fire
• वह्निः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vahni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• स्वयम्: by itself
• स्वयम्: Sambandha (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb) स्वयम्—स्वतः

• सान्निध्यम्: presence/nearby attendance
• सान्निध्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sānnidhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• आव्रजेत्: should come/attain
• आव्रजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√व्रज् (व्रज् धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• अग्नेः: of Agni/of fire
• अग्नेः: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• रक्षणार्थाय: for protection (purpose)
• रक्षणार्थाय: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (रक्षणस्य अर्थः = for the purpose of protection)

• यत्: which/that
• यत्: Karma/Pratipadya (Relative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम

• उक्तम्: said/declared
• उक्तम्: Karma (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) → ukta (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषणम् (कर्म इति)

• कर्म: rite/action
• कर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मन्त्रवित्: one who knows mantras
• मन्त्रवित्: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक) + vid (धातु/प्रातिपदिक ‘विद्’ = knower)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (मन्त्रान् वेत्ति इति)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue instruction to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When conditions are correctly established, sacred presence arises naturally; nevertheless, safeguarding requires knowledgeable adherence to taught mantra-ritual.

Vedantic Theme: Grace/presence (sannidhya) supported by disciplined means (sādhana); competence as a form of reverence.

Application: Create the right conditions (clean space, correct setup), then maintain them with trained attention; learn procedures properly rather than relying on improvisation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: homa altar with enclosed fire (pariveṣṭana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.69 (Agni on darbha); Garuda Purana 1.48.70 (śuddhi without mantra)

Characters & Entities

• Agni

FAQs

What is the importance of protecting Agni in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that Agni’s sacred presence is ensured when the fire is properly arranged and ritually enclosed, and that safeguarding the fire is itself a prescribed dharmic duty performed with correct mantra-knowledge.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the broader Garuda Purana view that correct ritual procedure (karma) and mantra preserve the sanctity and efficacy of rites connected to saṃskāras and post-death observances, which are believed to aid orderly transitions and merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform any fire-related rite or memorial observance with careful procedure and competent guidance—prioritizing correctness, reverence, and mantra discipline rather than haste or improvisation.