Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

शान्तिकर्मिधानेन सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये / शिरः स्थाने तु देवस्य आचार्यो होममाचरेत्

Transliteration

śāntikarmidhānena sarvakāmārthasiddhaye / śiraḥ sthāne tu devasya ācāryo homamācaret

Translation

For the fulfillment of all desired aims through the prescribed rite of pacification (śānti‑karma), the officiating ācārya should perform the homa, the fire‑offering, at the deity’s “head” position in the ritual layout.

Word by Word

• शान्तिकर्मिधानेन: by the (rite’s) pacificatory fuel/means
• शान्तिकर्मिधानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शान्ति + कर्मिधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (शान्तेः कर्मिधनम्)

• सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये: for the accomplishment of all desired aims
• सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + काम + अर्थ + सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां कामार्थानां सिद्धिः)

• शिरः: of the head
• शिरः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन (also possible प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन in form); अत्र ‘शिरः-स्थाने’ इति समासार्थे षष्ठी-सम्बन्धः

• स्थाने: in the place
• स्थाने: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन

• तु: indeed; but
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अवधान/विरोधार्थक-निपात

• देवस्य: of the deity
• देवस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन

• आचार्यः: the officiating teacher/priest
• आचार्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• होमम्: the oblation; fire-offering
• होमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• आचरेत्: should perform
• आचरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śānti-karma performed with correct nyāsa/placement and qualified officiant yields desired harmonization and goal-attainment.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual action (karma) as an instrument for order (ṛta-like harmony) and inner steadiness; efficacy depends on adhikāra and precision.

Application: For any remedial/peace-making practice, ensure competent guidance (ācārya) and correct ‘placement’—i.e., right context, right method, right leadership.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: homa-kuṇḍa placement within maṇḍala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (śānti-karma and homa-vidhi sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Deva (the invoked deity)
• Ācārya (ritual officiant)

FAQs

What is the importance of śānti-karma in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse presents śānti-karma as a focused pacificatory rite intended to remove obstacles and support the fulfillment of aims, emphasizing correct homa performance as the operative means.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it teaches correct ritual method (śānti and homa), which the text often frames as supportive of dharma and the reduction of suffering and impediments.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If undertaking a śānti-homa, follow a qualified ācārya and maintain proper ritual arrangement and procedure, treating the rite as disciplined worship rather than a casual act.