Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

प्रासादारामदुर्गेषु देवालयमठेषु च / द्वाविंशति सुरान्बाह्ये तदन्तश्च त्रयोदश

Transliteration

prāsādārāmadurgeṣu devālayamaṭheṣu ca / dvāviṃśati surānbāhye tadantaśca trayodaśa

Translation

प्रासादों, उद्यानों, दुर्गों, तथा देवालयों और मठों में—बाह्य भाग में बाईस देवता (नियत) हैं, और भीतर तेरह देवता (स्थापित) माने गए हैं।

Word by Word

• प्रासाद-आराम-दुर्गेषु: in palaces, gardens, and forts
• प्रासाद-आराम-दुर्गेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक) + आराम (प्रातिपदिक) + दुर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• देवालय-मठेषु: in temples and monasteries
• देवालय-मठेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवालय (प्रातिपदिक) + मठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास, पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

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

• द्वाविंशति: twenty-two
• द्वाविंशति: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वा-विṃशति (संख्याशब्द/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगुसमास/संख्यावाचक, अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (indeclinable-like numeral), संख्या = 22

• सुरान्: gods/deities
• सुरान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• बाह्ये: on the outside/exterior
• बाह्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाह्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• तदन्तः: its interior/inside
• तदन्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (तस्य अन्तः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• त्रयोदश: thirteen
• त्रयोदश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रयोदश (संख्याशब्द/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु/संख्यावाचक, अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः, संख्या = 13

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda / Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred space is layered: outer protection and inner consecration are maintained through prescribed divine presences.

Vedantic Theme: From many forms to one order—devatā as functional expressions supporting dharma and stability of sacred institutions.

Application: When designing/ritually consecrating a precinct, distinguish perimeter guardians from inner deities; use the scheme for placement of niches, gateways, and protective rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: architectural precincts (outer perimeter vs inner sanctum/inner zone)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.4–1.46.6 (lists of the deities/functionaries implied by the counts)

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of counting deities (22 outside, 13 inside) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights a traditional sacred mapping of ritual space—distinguishing protective/external deities from inner sanctum deities—used to understand how holy places are spiritually structured.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly, it frames sacred places as ordered spiritual environments; such ordered ritual spaces support dharma and purificatory practice, which the Garuda Purana links to better post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach temples/monasteries with awareness of outer and inner sacred zones—maintaining cleanliness, reverence, and proper conduct as one moves from the outer precincts toward the inner sanctum.