Shloka 17

Vāstu-pūjā, Vāstu-maṇḍala Deities, Site Computations, and Doorway/Tree Prescriptions

Devanagari script

अभ्यागतालयं रम्यसशय्यासनापदुकम् / तोयाग्निदीपसद्भृत्यैर्युक्तं दक्षिणतो भवेत्

Transliteration

abhyāgatālayaṃ ramyasaśayyāsanāpadukam / toyāgnidīpasadbhṛtyairyuktaṃ dakṣiṇato bhavet

Translation

Au côté sud, qu’il y ait une maison d’accueil pour les hôtes, pourvue de lits agréables, de sièges et de sandales, et munie d’eau, de feu, de lampes et de bons serviteurs.

Word by Word

• अभ्यागतालयम्: guest-house; lodging for guests
• अभ्यागतालयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यागत + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अभ्यागतानाम् आलयः)

• रम्य: pleasant, beautiful
• रम्य: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अभ्यागतालयम् इति)

• सशय्या: with beds
• सशय्या: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (सहित-भावः: शय्यया सह)

• आसन: seats
• आसन: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समुच्चित-उपकरणार्थे (शय्या-आसन-आदि)

• अपदुकम्: with footwear/sandals
• अपदुकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + पदुका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (पदुकाभिः सह)

• तोय: water
• तोय: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समाहार-तृतीया (तोय-आदि-युक्तम्)

• अग्नि: fire
• अग्नि: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समुच्चयार्थे

• दीप: lamp
• दीप: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समुच्चयार्थे

• सद्भृत्यैः: good attendants/servants
• सद्भृत्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् + भृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (सन्तः भृत्याः)

• युक्तम्: provided with; furnished
• युक्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अभ्यागतालयम्)

• दक्षिणतः: to the south; on the southern side
• दक्षिणतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययम्; दिशावाचक-अव्यय (adverb of direction)

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Atithi-satkāra and orderly provision (water, fire, lamp, attendants) as dharmic conduct that sustains auspiciousness.

Vedantic Theme: Sevā as purification of antaḥkaraṇa; honoring the guest as a manifestation of Nārāyaṇa (atithi-nārāyaṇa-bhāva).

Application: Maintain a dedicated, clean guest space with basic comforts and safety essentials (water, light, warmth), and train household/ashrama staff in courteous service.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: architectural zone (guest-house)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.18-21 (continuation of Viṣṇu-āśrama/vāstu arrangement)

FAQs

What is the importance of atithi-sevā (serving guests) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats hospitality as a dharmic obligation: a house should maintain a proper, well-equipped space for guests, reflecting purity, generosity, and right conduct.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings beyond afterlife topics?

Kanda 1 emphasizes daily dharma and ritual conduct; here, the text instructs practical household arrangements—beds, seating, water, light, and attendants—as part of righteous living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a clean, welcoming area for visitors and ensure basic comforts—water, lighting, seating, and respectful assistance—treating hospitality as a spiritual discipline.