Shloka 17

Māheśvara-pūjā-vidhi: Nyāsa, Maṇḍala-āvāhana, Kalā-salutations, and Upacāra Worship

Devanagari script

दीपं नैवेद्यदानं च हस्तोद्वर्तनमेव च / पाद्यार्घ्याचमनं गन्धं ताम्बूलं गीतवादनम्

Transliteration

dīpaṃ naivedyadānaṃ ca hastodvartanameva ca / pādyārghyācamanaṃ gandhaṃ tāmbūlaṃ gītavādanam

Translation

灯明とナイヴェーディヤ（供物の食）を供え、施与をなし、手に塗香して擦り、足を洗う水を捧げ、アルギャと口すすぎの水（アーチャマニーヤ）を供え、香を塗し、タームブーラ（檳榔）を供え、歌と器楽を奏する——これらが定められた恭敬の奉仕行である。

Word by Word

• दीपम्: lamp (offering)
• दीपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन (Acc. sg.)

• नैवेद्यदानम्: offering of food (naivedya-gift)
• नैवेद्यदानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैवेद्य + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (नैवेद्यस्य दानम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• हस्तोद्वर्तनम्: rubbing/massage of the hands
• हस्तोद्वर्तनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त + उद्वर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (हस्तस्य उद्वर्तनम्)

• एव: indeed, only
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात (indeed/only)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• पाद्य: water for washing feet
• पाद्य: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (पाद्यं—पादप्रक्षालनार्थं जलम्)

• अर्घ्य: arghya offering (water/oblation)
• अर्घ्य: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• आचमनम्: sipping water (ritual)
• आचमनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचमन (प्रातिपदिक; √चम् (धातु) + आ उपसर्ग; भाववाचक-नाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• गन्धम्: scent, sandal-paste/perfume
• गन्धम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन

• ताम्बूलम्: betel (offering)
• ताम्बूलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्बूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन

• गीतवादनम्: singing and instrumental music
• गीतवादनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गीत + वादन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (गीतं च वादनं च)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Pūjā as complete honoring: light, food, gifts, cleansing waters, fragrance, and sacred arts offered to the divine.

Vedantic Theme: Offering (ārpaṇa) transforms ordinary acts into worship; devotion integrates senses (indriyas) into sacred purpose.

Application: In daily practice: light a lamp, offer simple food, offer water symbolically (pādya/arghya/ācamanīya), and include a short bhajan or instrumental piece as part of worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: shrine/altar setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.40.16 (preceding upacāras); Garuda Purana 1.40.18 (dance, mudrā, dhyāna, japa)

FAQs

What is the importance of these offerings in the Garuda Purana?

This verse enumerates key acts of respectful worship/service—offerings like lamp, food, fragrant substances, water-offerings, and devotional music—presented as dharmic components of proper ritual honoring.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing dharmic ritual conduct and reverential service, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that right actions and prescribed observances shape auspicious outcomes for the individual’s spiritual journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

In daily puja or ancestral/devotional rites, include simple, sincere offerings—light a lamp, offer food, maintain cleanliness (water offerings), use a modest fragrance, and add devotional singing—prioritizing devotion and discipline over extravagance.