Shloka 44

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

चन्द्रशालान्विता कार्या भेरीशिखरसंयुता / पुरतो वाहनानां च कर्तव्या लग्न(घु) मण्डपाः

Transliteration

candraśālānvitā kāryā bherīśikharasaṃyutā / purato vāhanānāṃ ca kartavyā lagna(ghu) maṇḍapāḥ

Translation

Ha de construirse un pabellón provisto de candraśālā, un dosel arqueado como la luna, y coronado por una torre de tambores (bherī-śikhara). Y al frente, para los vehículos de la procesión, deben levantarse también maṇḍapas auspiciosos de ceremonia (lagna/laghu).

Word by Word

• चन्द्रशाला-अन्विता: endowed with moonlit halls
• चन्द्रशाला-अन्विता: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्रशाला (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त, √इ/ए ‘to go’ > अन्वित ‘endowed’)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• कार्या: should be made
• कार्या: Vidhi (Obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) → कार्य (कृदन्त, विधेय/gerundive)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विधिलिङ्गार्थे ‘to be made’ (gerundive, fem. nom. sg.)

• भेरी-शिखर-संयुता: provided with drum-towers/peaks
• भेरी-शिखर-संयुता: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भेरी (प्रातिपदिक) + शिखर (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुत (कृदन्त, √युज् ‘to join’)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (fem. nom. sg.)

• पुरतः: in front
• पुरतः: Adhikaraṇa (Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

• वाहनानाम्: of the vehicles
• वाहनानाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन (gen. pl.)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कर्तव्याः: should be made
• कर्तव्याः: Vidhi (Obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) → कर्तव्य (कृदन्त, विधेय/gerundive)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधिलिङ्गार्थे ‘to be done/made’ (gerundive, masc. nom. pl.)

• लग्न(घु): attached/near (or small)
• लग्न(घु): Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लग्न/लघु (प्रातिपदिक; पाठभेद)
• Form: विशेषण; (अर्थतः) ‘attached/near’ (lagna) अथवा ‘small’ (laghu); रूपं सन्दिग्धम् (textual variant)

• मण्डपाः: pavilions
• मण्डपाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (nom. pl.)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on proper spatial arrangement (mandapa, canopy, processional order) and auspicious markers.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-brahman worship supported by ordered karma (kriyā) as a means of purification and devotion.

Application: When organizing a temple festival or consecration, ensure clear processional approach, sheltered pavilion, and designated spaces for conveyances and rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-architectural complex

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.45-47 (continuation of temple/mandapa layout and worship); Garuda Purana 1.48.1 (transition to pratishtha rules)

FAQs

What is the importance of constructing a maṇḍapa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the maṇḍapa as an essential ritual space—an auspicious, properly designed setting that supports the sanctity and order of the ceremony.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly discuss the soul’s journey; instead, it focuses on correct external ritual arrangements, which the Garuda Purana often links to dharmic order and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing traditional rites, prioritize a clean, well-arranged ceremonial space and follow established ritual design principles rather than treating the setup as merely decorative.