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

Pertama-tama pujalah Sarasvatī, penguasa ilmu suci; lalu hormatilah Lakṣmī, pemberi śrī dan kemakmuran. Dan dengan memuja Garuḍa dengan penuh bhakti, seseorang terbebas dari kumpulan rintangan.

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.