Shloka 8

Āryā-Chandas Lakṣaṇa; Gīti-Bheda; Vaitālīya-Vaktra; Mātrā-to-Varṇa Transition

Devanagari script

उदीच्यवृत्तिरसमे प्राच्यवृत्तिस्तु युग्मके / सपञ्चमश्चतुर्थांशे युगपत्तौ प्रवृत्तकम्

Transliteration

udīcyavṛttirasame prācyavṛttistu yugmake / sapañcamaścaturthāṃśe yugapattau pravṛttakam

Translation

Cuando el cómputo es impar, el procedimiento se realiza según el modo del Norte (udīcya); pero cuando es par, se realiza según el modo del Oriente (prācya). En el cuarto de porción que incluye el quinto paso, ha de ejecutarse simultáneamente, conforme a la prescripción.

Word by Word

• उदीच्यवृत्तिः: the Udīcya metre-pattern/structure
• उदीच्यवृत्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदीच्य + वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (उदीच्य-सम्बन्धिनी वृत्तिः)

• असमे: in the odd (uneven) [pāda]
• असमे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (समे/असमे इति छन्दोविषये)

• प्राच्यवृत्तिः: the Prācya metre-pattern/structure
• प्राच्यवृत्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राच्य + वृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (प्राच्य-सम्बन्धिनी वृत्तिः)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपातः (contrastive particle)

• युग्मके: in the even (paired) [pāda]
• युग्मके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• सपञ्चमः: together with the fifth
• सपञ्चमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + पञ्चम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गण/अंशादेः)

• चतुर्थांशे: in the fourth part/quarter
• चतुर्थांशे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्थ + अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (चतुर्थः अंशः)

• युगपत्: simultaneously
• युगपत्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: युगपत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषणम् (adverb)

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रवृत्तकम्: that which is applied/occurring
• प्रवृत्तकम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + वृत्त (वृत्त्/वृत् धातु, कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘प्रवृत्त’ + क-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Correct procedure depends on parity (odd/even) and prescribed sequencing; simultaneous execution is mandated in a defined segment.

Vedantic Theme: niyama (discipline) and śāstra-prāmāṇya (authority of rule) as supports for right action.

Application: When applying a counted procedure (metrical/ritual/recitational), switch mode by odd/even count; execute the specified portion simultaneously where instructed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.208.9; Garuda Purana 1.208.10; Garuda Purana 1.208.12

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of udīcya-vṛtti and prācyā-vṛtti in the Garuda Purana?

This verse gives a rule-based distinction of ritual orientation/mode: odd counts follow the northern mode (udīcya), while even counts follow the eastern mode (prācyā), preserving correctness in prescribed rites.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana death-ritual practice?

It functions as a technical instruction within ritual chapters: correct sequencing, orientation, and whether actions are done separately or simultaneously are treated as dharma-critical details in śrāddha/piṇḍa-related observances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing tradition-based rites, follow a consistent, text-grounded procedure (including count-based rules and timing). If unsure, consult a competent priest/scholar to maintain ritual accuracy and intention.