Shloka 80

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

Devanagari script

भूतानां चैव देवानां नागानां च प्रयोगतः / तिलाश्च समिधश्चैव होमद्रव्यं द्वयं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

bhūtānāṃ caiva devānāṃ nāgānāṃ ca prayogataḥ / tilāśca samidhaścaiva homadravyaṃ dvayaṃ smṛtam

Translation

In rites addressed to bhūtas (spirits), devas (gods), and nāgas alike, tradition prescribes two substances for the homa fire-offering: sesame seeds (tila) and sacred fuel-sticks (samidh).

Word by Word

• भूतानाम्: of beings/spirits
• भूतानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Prayojaka (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (emphasis)

• देवानाम्: of the gods
• देवानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• नागानाम्: of the nāgas (serpents)
• नागानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• प्रयोगतः: according to the rite/application
• प्रयोगतः: Hetu (Reason/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रयोगतस् (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘according to application/usage’

• तिलाः: sesame seeds
• तिलाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• समिधः: fuel-sticks
• समिधः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समिध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Prayojaka (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (emphasis)

• होमद्रव्यम्: homa-material
• होमद्रव्यम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम + द्रव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—होमस्य द्रव्यम् इति तत्पुरुषः

• द्वयम्: a pair/twofold
• द्वयम्: Pratipadyam (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• स्मृतम्: is declared/remembered
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (it is said/remembered)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: For specific prayoga-s aimed at bhūta/deva/nāga, tradition prescribes a minimal, effective pair of offerings: sesame and fuel-sticks.

Vedantic Theme: Sattvic simplicity in prescribed action; efficacy through śāstra-guided means rather than excess.

Application: When performing protective/appeasement homa-s, prioritize prescribed essentials (tila, samidh) and purity over improvisation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (homa setting; may extend to liminal/guardian rites)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.81 (ājya as sahakāri; directional recitations)

Characters & Entities

• Bhutas
• Devas
• Nagas

FAQs

What is the importance of sesame (tila) in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse identifies tila as a primary homa-offering, suitable across rites directed to different classes of beings, indicating its broad ritual efficacy and traditional authority.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct ritual procedure (homa with prescribed dravyas), it supports the dharmic framework in which post-death rites and offerings are believed to aid auspicious outcomes for the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing a homa (personally or through a priest), ensure traditional simplicity and correctness—using sesame and proper samidh—rather than substituting random materials.