Shloka 84

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

Devanagari script

शिरः स्थानेषु जुहुयादाविशेच्चाप्यनुक्रमात् / वेदानामादिमन्त्रैर्वा मन्त्रैर्वा देवनामभिः

Transliteration

śiraḥ sthāneṣu juhuyādāviśeccāpyanukramāt / vedānāmādimantrairvā mantrairvā devanāmabhiḥ

Translation

One should offer oblations at the prescribed places, beginning with the region of the head, entering each installation in proper sequence—either with the opening mantras of the Vedas or with mantras consisting of the deities’ names.

Word by Word

• शिरः: the head
• शिरः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• स्थानेषु: in the places/positions
• स्थानेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन

• जुहुयात्: should offer (into fire)
• जुहुयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• आविशेत्: should enter
• आविशेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विश् (धातु) उपसर्गः आ-
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

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

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (Addition/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (particle: also)

• अनुक्रमात्: in due order/step by step
• अनुक्रमात्: Hetu/Apadana (From sequence/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे ‘क्रमेण’

• वेदानाम्: of the Vedas
• वेदानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• आदि-मन्त्रैः: with the initial mantras
• आदि-मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आदौ ये मन्त्राः)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पबोधक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle: or)

• मन्त्रैः: with mantras
• मन्त्रैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पबोधक-अव्यय (or)

• देवनामभिः: with the names of the deities
• देवनामभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानां नामानि)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Anukrama (proper order) in offerings/entry into placements; mantra selection may be Vedic opening mantras or devatā-nāma mantras.

Vedantic Theme: Niyama and śraddhā: disciplined order in action supports inner steadiness; śabda as the vehicle of sanctification.

Application: Follow a consistent sequence in spiritual routines; if unsure of complex mantras, use authorized simpler name-mantras while preserving order and intent.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: body-loci (aṅga-sthāna) mapped as ritual stations

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.84-86 (anukrama; mantra options; nyāsa details)

Characters & Entities

• Vedas
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of performing offerings in sequence (anukramāt) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that the rite should be done in a prescribed order—starting from the head-position—so the mantras and offerings align correctly with the intended ritual placements and deities.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

By prescribing correct mantra-based offerings, the text emphasizes orderly ritual support for post-death transitions, where proper rites are understood to aid the departed and uphold dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing traditional rites, follow an authorized sequence and use appropriate mantras (Vedic openings or deity-name mantras) under competent guidance, prioritizing correctness and reverence.