Shloka 2

Dīkṣā Procedure: Homa Measures, Elemental Reconstitution, and Naming by Omen

Devanagari script

द्विगुणं पुत्रके होमं त्रिगुणं साधके मतम् / निर्वाणदेशिके रुद्र ! चतुर्गुणमुदाहृतम्

Transliteration

dviguṇaṃ putrake homaṃ triguṇaṃ sādhake matam / nirvāṇadeśike rudra ! caturguṇamudāhṛtam

Translation

For a son, the fire-offering is prescribed as double; for a sādhaka (spiritual aspirant), it is held to be triple. And for the teacher who instructs in liberation, O Rudra, it is declared to be fourfold.

Word by Word

• द्विगुणम्: twofold; doubled
• द्विगुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (द्वौ गुणौ यस्य)

• पुत्रके: in the case of a ‘putraka’ (type of disciple)
• पुत्रके: Adhikarana (Reference/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (विषय/अधिकरण), एकवचन; ‘पुत्रक’ = शिष्यविशेषः

• होमम्: homa; oblation-rite
• होमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• त्रिगुणम्: threefold
• त्रिगुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (त्रयो गुणाः यस्य)

• साधके: in the case of a sādhaka
• साधके: Adhikarana (Reference/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (विषय/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मतम्: is considered; opinion
• मतम्: Kriya (Predicative complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अत्र प्रथमा—‘(it is) considered’

• निर्वाणदेशिके: in the case of a nirvāṇa-teacher (nirvāṇa-deśika)
• निर्वाणदेशिके: Adhikarana (Reference/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्वाण + देशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (विषय/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (निर्वाणस्य देशिकः)

• रुद्र: O Rudra
• रुद्र: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चतुर्गुणम्: fourfold
• चतुर्गुणम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (चत्वारो गुणाः यस्य)

• उदाहृतम्: has been stated/declared
• उदाहृतम्: Kriya (Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद् + आ + हृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अर्थः—‘has been declared’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual effort is scaled by relationship/aim: son (putraka), sādhaka, and nirvāṇa-deśika receive increasing homa counts, reflecting differentiated obligations and spiritual priorities.

Vedantic Theme: Hierarchy of aims (puruṣārtha-krama): support of lineage, personal sādhana, and transmission of liberation-knowledge; honoring the guru as conduit to mokṣa.

Application: When performing homa for specific purposes/persons, adjust the count as prescribed; prioritize offerings and service toward teachers who impart liberating instruction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: ritual instruction (no specific place named)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.9.1 (108 āhutis baseline)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra

FAQs

What is the importance of homa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents homa as a graded rite whose religious efficacy increases depending on the recipient’s spiritual role—son, sādhaka, and especially the teacher of liberation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By valuing the nirvāṇa-teacher most, it implies that rites are not only for worldly continuity (a son) but ultimately support liberation-oriented guidance, which is central to the soul’s highest aim.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize sincere ritual discipline, support genuine spiritual practice, and honor teachers who guide toward ethical living and liberation—placing highest value on moksha-oriented instruction.