Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

चतुः षष्टिपदो वास्तुः प्रासादादौ प्रपूजितः / मध्ये चतुष्पदो ब्रह्मा द्विप दास्त्वर्यमादयः

Transliteration

catuḥ ṣaṣṭipado vāstuḥ prāsādādau prapūjitaḥ / madhye catuṣpado brahmā dvipa dāstvaryamādayaḥ

Translation

Dans les palais et constructions semblables, Vāstu est honoré selon le maṇḍala aux soixante-quatre cases. Au centre se tient Brahmā dans l’emplacement de quatre cases, tandis que dans les divisions de deux cases résident Aryamā et les autres divinités.

Word by Word

• चतुःषष्टिपदः: having sixty-four squares/steps
• चतुःषष्टिपदः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुः + षष्टि + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (चतुःषष्टिः पदानि यस्य)

• वास्तुः: the site/plot (vāstu)
• वास्तुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• प्रासादादौ: in a palace and the like
• प्रासादादौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रासाद + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-एकवचनरूपे अव्ययीभावप्रयोगः; ‘आदि’ सहितः स्थानवाचकः (in palace etc.)

• प्रपूजितः: well-worshipped; duly honored
• प्रपूजितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + पूज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वास्तुः)

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययम्; स्थानवाचक (locative adverb: in the middle)

• चतुष्पदः: four-squared/four-footed (four-part)
• चतुष्पदः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (चत्वारि पदानि यस्य)

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• द्विपदाः: two-footed; two-part
• द्विपदाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समासः (द्वे पदे यस्य)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• अर्यम: Aryaman
• अर्यम: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्यमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; देवविशेषः

• आदयः: and others
• आदयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘आदि’ = and others

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Space is sacralized by recognizing divine presences in a structured maṇḍala; right order (ṛta-like) supports prosperity and spiritual steadiness.

Vedantic Theme: Microcosm–macrocosm correspondence: the dwelling as a body/cosmos; centering (Brahma-sthāna) mirrors inner centering of awareness.

Application: When building/renovating, preserve a clear ‘center’ (open, uncluttered core), and design with proportion, light, and functional zoning to support calm and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-architectural grid (64-pada maṇḍala)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.21 (placement of deities in parts like ears/śikhyā)

Characters & Entities

• Vāstu
• Brahmā
• Aryamā

FAQs

What is the importance of the 64-pada Vāstu-maṇḍala in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that for major structures like palaces, the site is ritually mapped and worshipped as a 64-square Vāstu-maṇḍala, establishing divine order and auspiciousness before construction or consecration.

How does this verse explain the arrangement of deities in the Vāstu-maṇḍala?

It specifies a central placement for Brahmā occupying a four-square core, while other deities such as Aryamā are assigned to two-square divisions, indicating a structured, deity-governed spatial grid.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing Vāstu-pūjā or planning sacred/important spaces, keep a clear, respected center (brahma-sthāna) and follow a consistent directional/deity layout to maintain ritual coherence and calm, uncluttered central space.