Shloka 81

Devanagari script

नाशयन्त्याशु पापानि देवानामर्चनं तथा / यो मोहादथ वालस्यादकृत्वा देवतार्चनम्

Transliteration

nāśayantyāśu pāpāni devānāmarcanaṃ tathā / yo mohādatha vālasyādakṛtvā devatārcanam

Translation

Worship of the Devas swiftly destroys sins. But one who, through delusion or even through laziness, does not perform the adoration of the deities, incurs the opposite result.

Word by Word

• nāśayanti: they destroy
• nāśayanti: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: naś (धातु) + ṇic (प्रेरण)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural)

• āśu: quickly
• āśu: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: āśu (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb)

• pāpāni: sins
• pāpāni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• devānām: of the gods
• devānām: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• arcanam: worship
• arcanam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: arcana (प्रातिपदिक) < arc (धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular)

• tathā: also; likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/उपमानार्थक अव्यय (particle: ‘also/likewise’)

• yaḥ: who
• yaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• mohāt: from delusion
• mohāt: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: moha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• atha: then; and
• atha: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक/समुच्चय अव्यय (particle: ‘then/and’)

• vā: or
• vā: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक अव्यय (disjunctive particle: ‘or’)

• ālasyāt: from laziness
• ālasyāt: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ālasya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• akṛtvā: not having done
• akṛtvā: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), ‘having not done’ (नञ्-प्रत्ययार्थ)

• devatā-arcanam: worship of the deities
• devatā-arcanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devatā (प्रातिपदिक) + arcana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Genitive determinative: ‘worship of deities’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devata-archana as a purifier of papa; omission through moha/alasya leads to adverse karmic consequence.

Vedantic Theme: Antahkarana-shuddhi (purification of mind) as a prerequisite for higher knowledge; karma as a means (sadhana) when aligned with dharma.

Application: Maintain a consistent daily worship routine (sandhya, puja, stotra/japa); treat laziness and delusion as spiritual obstacles to be actively countered.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta-khanda): emphasis on Vishnu-smriti and dharmic conduct as protection in the post-mortem journey (general thematic parallel); Garuda Purana: sections on sadachara and prayaschitta where worship and purity are praised (general)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Devatāḥ

FAQs

What is the importance of Deva worship (devatā-arcana) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that worship of the Devas quickly destroys sins (pāpa), presenting arcana as a practical dharmic means for purification.

How does this verse explain consequences related to karma?

It contrasts purification through worship with the karmic setback implied when worship is neglected due to delusion or laziness—highlighting intention and discipline as karma-shaping factors.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent daily worship routine (even brief), avoiding procrastination and inattentiveness; regular devotion is presented here as a direct antidote to accumulated ethical and mental impurities.