Shloka 73

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

Devanagari script

आचार्यो ऽथ निरीक्ष्यापि नीराज्यमभिमन्त्रितम् / आज्यभागाभिघारान्तमवेक्षेताज्यसिद्धये

Transliteration

ācāryo 'tha nirīkṣyāpi nīrājyamabhimantritam / ājyabhāgābhighārāntamavekṣetājyasiddhaye

Translation

Then the officiating ācārya, having examined the nīrājya consecrated by mantra, should oversee it—from the apportioning of the ājya up to the final oblation—so that the ghee-offering is duly accomplished.

Word by Word

• आचार्यः: the teacher
• आचार्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• अथ: then, next
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात), अनन्तरार्थक/प्रसङ्गसूचक

• निरीक्ष्य: having inspected
• निरीक्ष्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्/क्त्वा-समकक्ष अव्यय-कृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having examined/observed’

• अपि: also, even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात), समुच्चय/अपि-भाव

• नीराज्यम्: the nīrājya (waving/illumination rite)
• नीराज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नीराज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अभिमन्त्रितम्: consecrated, mantra-blessed
• अभिमन्त्रितम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि + मन्त्र् (धातु)
• Form: कर्मणि-क्त (Past Passive Participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘मन्त्रितम्’ = consecrated by mantra

• आज्यभाग: portion of ghee
• आज्यभाग: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-समास; ‘आज्यस्य भागः’

• अभिघार: sprinkling/pouring (act)
• अभिघार: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि + घृ (धातु) → घार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक; ‘अभिघार’ = pouring/sprinkling (of ghee)

• अन्तम्: ending (with), up to the end
• अन्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासे उत्तरपद-रूपेण ‘up to/ending with’

• अवेक्षेत: should observe/consider
• अवेक्षेत: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• आज्यसिद्धये: for the successful preparation of ghee
• आज्यसिद्धये: Sampradana (Purpose/Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आज्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; ‘आज्यस्य सिद्धिः’ (ghee-preparation/attainment) हेतु

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adhikārin oversight: the teacher must verify consecration and procedural completeness for siddhi.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline in action (karma-yoga’s precision) as a means to inner steadiness and reduction of negligence (pramāda).

Application: Use checklists/verification in sacred or serious work; ensure each stage is completed before moving on.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: yajña-śālā / household altar space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.72 (pavitra then ājya-saṃskāra); Garuda Purana 1.48.75 (mantra + pūrṇāhuti completion)

FAQs

What is the importance of properly inspecting the ghee-offering (ājya) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes priestly verification of each step of the mantra-consecrated offering so the rite is completed correctly and yields its intended religious efficacy.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: it highlights the precision of rites connected with dharma and post-death observances, which the Garuda Purana links to the welfare and onward journey of the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing any religious observance (especially śrāddha-related), ensure qualified guidance and careful completion of each step rather than treating the ritual as merely symbolic.