Shloka 7

Worship (Pūjā): Vajra-nābha Maṇḍala Construction, Lotus-Seat Design, and Vaiṣṇava Nyāsa

Devanagari script

कर्णिकाया द्विभागेन केसराणि विचक्षणः / तदग्रेण सदा विद्वान्दलान्येव समालिखेत्

Transliteration

karṇikāyā dvibhāgena kesarāṇi vicakṣaṇaḥ / tadagreṇa sadā vidvāndalānyeva samālikhet

Translation

कर्णिका को दो भागों में बाँटकर कुशल व्यक्ति केसर (पुंकेसर) बनाए। और उसके अग्रभाग से विद्वान सदा पंखुड़ियाँ भी भलीभाँति अंकित करे।

Word by Word

• कर्णिकायाः: of the pericarp
• कर्णिकायाः: Sambandha (Genitive/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्णिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• द्वि-भागेन: by (its) division into two
• द्वि-भागेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (द्वौ भागौ यस्य/द्विभागः = division into two)

• केसराणि: stamens
• केसराणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केसर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• विचक्षणः: the discerning one
• विचक्षणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (कर्ता-विशेषण)

• तत्: of that
• तत्: Sambandha (Genitive/Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th) एकवचन (अग्रेण इति सह सम्बन्धः)

• अग्रेण: by the tip/front
• अग्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (always)

• विद्वान्: the learned one
• विद्वान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषणार्थक (learned)

• दलानि: petals
• दलानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Nipata (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण-निपात

• समालिखेत्: should draw/inscribe
• समालिखेत्: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-√लिख् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, contextually within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Discrimination and division (vibhāga) enable correct manifestation of form; knowledge and skill (vidvat, vicakṣaṇa) are prerequisites for sacred artistry.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka (discernment) shaping expression; the pure lotus as symbol of sattva and inner unfolding.

Application: Divide the central pericarp into two to place stamens accurately; then use the tip to sketch petals consistently, maintaining proportional harmony.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: diagram’s lotus-center (karṇikā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.8.6 (karnikā rotation); Garuda Purana 1.8.8 (forming lotuses in all centers)

FAQs

What is the importance of the lotus (padma) diagram in Garuda Purana practices?

This verse gives a precise method for constructing the lotus form, indicating that correct diagrammatic proportions are considered part of proper ritual and sacred design.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it focuses on correct sacred drawing/ritual procedure, which in the broader Purana supports orderly dharmic practice.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When making a ritual lotus (for worship, mandala, or yantra-style layouts), keep proportions disciplined: define the center first, then add stamens and petals systematically.