Shloka 13

Pretaśilā at Gayā: Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, Gadādhara’s Manifestation, and the Fruits of Śrāddha & Deity-Worship

Devanagari script

पाद्याद्यैर्गन्धपुष्पाद्यैरत आदिगदाधरः / गदाधरं सुरैः सार्धमाद्यं गत्वा ददाति यः

Transliteration

pādyādyairgandhapuṣpādyairata ādigadādharaḥ / gadādharaṃ suraiḥ sārdhamādyaṃ gatvā dadāti yaḥ

Translation

He who, with offerings such as water for washing the feet (pādya) and the like—along with fragrance, flowers, and other worship-materials—goes to the Primordial Lord, Gadādhara (mace-bearing Viṣṇu), and makes the offering, attains the grace of that Original Gadādhara, together with the Devas.

Word by Word

• पाद्याद्यैः: with offerings like foot-water etc.
• पाद्याद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समुच्चयार्थ ("pādya etc.")

• गन्धपुष्पाद्यैः: with fragrance, flowers, etc.
• गन्धपुष्पाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + पुष्प + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (gandha and puṣpa, etc.)

• अतः: therefore, hence
• अतः: Hetu (Cause/हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/तस्मात्-अर्थ (therefore/from this)

• आदि: primordial, first
• आदि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying gadādharaḥ)

• गदाधरः: Gadādhara (mace-bearer)
• गदाधरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• गदाधरम्: Gadādhara
• गदाधरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा + धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• सुरैः: with the gods
• सुरैः: Saha (Accompaniment/सह)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• सार्धम्: together with
• सार्धम्: Saha (Accompaniment/सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सार्धम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक (with, together with)

• आद्यम्: the primordial one
• आद्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying gadādharaṃ)

• गत्वा: having gone
• गत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: गम् (धातु) + त्वा (प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): "having gone"

• ददाति: gives
• ददाति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सम्बन्धक (relative pronoun)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Approaching Viṣṇu (Gadādhara) with prescribed offerings yields prasāda and elevated association with the devas.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as a direct means to divine grace (anugraha) that purifies karma and elevates the jīva; īśvara-prasāda as decisive factor.

Application: Establish a simple daily pūjā: water offering, fragrance/flower, and sincere approach; cultivate consistency and humility rather than extravagance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/altar (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.86.14–16 (lists of upacāras and fruits)

Characters & Entities

• Gadadhara (Vishnu)
• Devas (Suras)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering pādya, flowers, and fragrance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that simple, respectful upacāras (like pādya, gandha, and puṣpa) offered to Viṣṇu are spiritually effective and lead to divine favor and elevated states.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in Garuda Purana teachings?

By emphasizing devotional worship and meritorious offerings to Viṣṇu, the verse points to a supportive spiritual cause (puṇya/bhakti) that improves one’s post-death trajectory and divine protection, a recurring theme in Garuda Purana instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform a simple, sincere Viṣṇu-pūjā—offering water, flowers, and fragrance with reverence—cultivating devotion, ethical living, and remembrance of the Divine in daily routine.