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

Lorsque le compte est impair, on accomplit la règle selon le mode du Nord (udīcya) ; mais lorsqu’il est pair, on l’accomplit selon le mode de l’Orient (prācya). Dans le quart de portion qui comprend le cinquième pas, il faut agir simultanément, selon l’ordonnance.

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.