Shloka 16

Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas

Devanagari script

हस्तादिपञ्चऋक्षाणि उत्तरात्रयमेव च / अश्विनी रोहिणी पुष्या धनिष्ठा च पुनर्वसू

Transliteration

hastādipañcaṛkṣāṇi uttarātrayameva ca / aśvinī rohiṇī puṣyā dhaniṣṭhā ca punarvasū

Translation

ハスターに始まる五つの月宿、ならびに三つの「ウッタラ」；またアシュヴィニー、ローヒニー、プシュヤー、ダニシュター、プナルヴァスー——（これらの星宿が列挙される）。

Word by Word

• हस्तादि: beginning with Hasta
• हस्तादि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘हस्तः आदिः यस्य’ इति (starting with Hasta)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; नपुंसकलिङ्ग-बहुवचनार्थे विशेषण (five)

• ऋक्षाणि: nakṣatras (stars/asterisms)
• ऋक्षाणि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• उत्तरात्रयम्: the three Uttaras (Uttarā-phalgunī, Uttarāṣāḍhā, Uttarā-bhādrapadā)
• उत्तरात्रयम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘उत्तराणां त्रयम्’ (the three Uttaras)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis/only)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अश्विनी: Ashvinī
• अश्विनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्विनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• रोहिणी: Rohiṇī
• रोहिणी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोहिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• पुष्या: Puṣyā
• पुष्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• धनिष्ठा: Dhaniṣṭhā
• धनिष्ठा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनिष्ठा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पुनर्वसू: the two Punarvasus / Punarvasu (dual form)
• पुनर्वसू: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुनर्वसु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विवचन-रूपम्; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग-प्रयोगे प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन (dual)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Classification of favorable nakṣatras (Hasta-group, Uttara-traya, plus specific stars) for selecting proper times.

Vedantic Theme: Time (kāla) as a governing power within prakṛti; wise action respects conditions while aiming at right conduct.

Application: Use the enumerated nakṣatras (Hastaādi pañca, Uttara-traya, Aśvinī, Rohiṇī, Puṣyā, Dhaniṣṭhā, Punarvasu) as a checklist when choosing auspicious timings for relevant undertakings in the surrounding section.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/decision setting (calendar consultation)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59.15-19 (nakṣatra-based muhūrta lists for different actions)

Characters & Entities

• Nakshatras

FAQs

What is the importance of nakshatras in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights specific lunar mansions used in ritual considerations, indicating that timing (nakṣatra-based muhūrta) is treated as significant for prescribed observances.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by listing nakṣatras relevant to rites, it supports the broader Garuda Purana framework where correct performance of post-death rituals aids the preta’s transition and well-being.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When planning śrāddha or related observances, families often consult a traditional pañcāṅga/priest for nakṣatra-based timing—this verse is part of that ritual-astrological basis.