Shloka 84

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

स्थलमौदुंबरसमं तत्प्रमाणमुदाहृतम् / छत्त्राकारं वर्तुलं च प्रसन्नवदनं शुभम्

Transliteration

sthalamauduṃbarasamaṃ tatpramāṇamudāhṛtam / chattrākāraṃ vartulaṃ ca prasannavadanaṃ śubham

Translation

Sa mesure est déclarée égale à l’étendue d’un emplacement d’udumbara; il doit être en forme d’ombrelle et circulaire, au visage paisible, de bon augure en tout.

Word by Word

• स्थलम्: the base/area
• स्थलम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject; described entity)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ground/place (here: base/area)

• औदुंबर-समम्: equal to an udumbara (fig)
• औदुंबर-समम्: विशेषण (Adjective of sthalam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: औदुंबर (प्रातिपदिक) + सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — qualifying ‘स्थलम्’; ‘equal to an udumbara (fig)’

• तत्-प्रमाणम्: that measure
• तत्-प्रमाणम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of ‘declared’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + प्रमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘that measure/dimension’

• उदाहृतम्: is declared
• उदाहृतम्: क्रिया (Predicative verbal)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्-आ-हृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — is stated

• छत्त्र-आकारम्: umbrella-shaped
• छत्त्र-आकारम्: विशेषण (Adjective; described form)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: छत्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘umbrella-shaped’

• वर्तुलम्: round
• वर्तुलम्: विशेषण (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्तुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — round/circular

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction: and)

• प्रसन्न-वदनम्: with a serene face
• प्रसन्न-वदनम्: विशेषण (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — ‘having a serene face’

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: विशेषण (Adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन — auspicious

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śāstra-guided form (lakṣaṇa, pramāṇa) safeguards auspiciousness; correct making of sacred objects is itself dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Arcā as a sanctioned support (ālambana) for devotion; order (ṛta/dharma) expressed through proportion and serenity (prasanna-vadana).

Application: When commissioning/creating mūrti or sacred emblem, follow traditional pramāṇa and lakṣaṇa; ensure artisanship aligns with ritual standards and intended worship context.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.85-86 (continuation of form/feature specifications)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of prescribing a specific shape and measure in Garuda Purana death rituals?

This verse emphasizes that ritual acts should follow a defined pramāṇa (measure) and auspicious form, as correctness in rite-structure is treated as spiritually effective in preta-related observances.

How does this verse connect to the journey of the soul described in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda context, properly performed post-death rites support the departed being (preta) with ordered, dharmic assistance; this verse gives a technical specification for an auspicious ritual form used within that framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing śrāddha or related memorial rites, follow traditional guidance from qualified priests/textual tradition—prioritizing sincerity and correctness of procedure while keeping the act calm, pure, and auspicious in intent.