Shloka 24

Pretaśilā at Gayā: Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, Gadādhara’s Manifestation, and the Fruits of Śrāddha & Deity-Worship

Devanagari script

विद्यां सरस्वतीं प्रार्च्य लक्ष्मीं संपूज्य च श्रियम् / गरुडं च समभ्यर्च्य विघ्नवृन्दात्प्रमुच्यते

Transliteration

vidyāṃ sarasvatīṃ prārcya lakṣmīṃ saṃpūjya ca śriyam / garuḍaṃ ca samabhyarcya vighnavṛndātpramucyate

Translation

Après avoir d’abord adoré Sarasvatī, incarnation de la connaissance sacrée, puis honoré dignement Lakṣmī, dispensatrice de prospérité, et vénéré aussi Garuḍa avec révérence, on est délivré des multitudes d’obstacles.

Word by Word

• विद्याम्: knowledge
• विद्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• सरस्वतीम्: Sarasvatī
• सरस्वतीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• प्रार्च्य: having worshipped
• प्रार्च्य: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकाले कृत्य

• लक्ष्मीम्: Lakṣmī
• लक्ष्मीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• संपूज्य: having duly worshipped
• संपूज्य: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-√पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• श्रियम्: splendour/prosperity
• श्रियम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• गरुडम्: Garuḍa
• गरुडम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• समभ्यर्च्य: having duly worshipped
• समभ्यर्च्य: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-अभि-√अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• विघ्नवृन्दात्: from a multitude of obstacles
• विघ्नवृन्दात्: Apadana (Ablative/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विघ्न (प्रातिपदिक) + वृन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विघ्नानां वृन्दम्)

• प्रमुच्यते: is freed
• प्रमुच्यते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-√मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sequential cultivation: knowledge (Sarasvatī) and prosperity (Lakṣmī) supported by protective devotion (Garuḍa) removes vighnas.

Vedantic Theme: Sattvic knowledge and śrī as divine endowments; protection as grace that clears prārabdha-like impediments while enabling right action.

Application: Before study/work, invoke Sarasvatī; for livelihood stewardship, honor Lakṣmī with cleanliness and generosity; for protection and obstacle-removal, recite Garuḍa-mantras/stotras and maintain courage and discipline.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/learning space (vidyā-sthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.86 (devatā-arcana phala); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa sections where Garuḍa is central interlocutor and protector motif is prominent

Characters & Entities

• Sarasvati
• Lakshmi
• Shri
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping Sarasvati, Lakshmi, and Garuda in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents their worship as a direct means to gain knowledge and auspicious prosperity, and to become free from accumulated obstacles (vighna).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing devatā-upāsanā and auspicious conduct, it supports a life aligned with dharma, which the Garuda Purana repeatedly treats as foundational for favorable post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin important study, vows, or rituals by invoking Sarasvatī for clarity, Lakṣmī/Śrī for auspicious support, and Garuḍa for protection—cultivating disciplined effort alongside devotional focus.