Shloka 44

Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva

Devanagari script

तालुस्थानं च पद्मं च अघोरो विद्ययान्वितः / नाभ्यो(ड्यो) ष्ठयोर्हस्तिजिह्वाध्यानो नागोग्निदेवता

Transliteration

tālusthānaṃ ca padmaṃ ca aghoro vidyayānvitaḥ / nābhyo(ḍyo) ṣṭhayorhastijihvādhyāno nāgognidevatā

Translation

താലുസ്ഥാനത്ത് പദ്മാസനം ഉണ്ട്; അവിടെ അഘോര-വിദ്യയാൽ യുക്തനായി ധ്യാനിക്കണം. നാഭി (അഥവാ അധോഭാഗം) മുതൽ ഓഷ്ഠം വരെ ‘ഹസ്തി-ജിഹ്വ’ രൂപം ധ്യാനിക്കണം; അതിന്റെ അധിഷ്ഠാന ദേവതകൾ നാഗനും അഗ്നിദേവനും.

Word by Word

• तालुस्थानम्: the palate-region
• तालुस्थानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तालु + स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (तालोः स्थानम्)

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

• पद्मम्: lotus
• पद्मम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

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

• अघोरः: Aghora (name/epithet)
• अघोरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अघोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (नाम/विशेषणवत्)

• विद्यया: with/through knowledge (vidyā)
• विद्यया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• अन्वितः: endowed/connected
• अन्वितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्वित (कृदन्त; अन्वि/अनु+इ धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), विशेषण

• नाभ्योष्ठयोः: of the navel and the lips
• नाभ्योष्ठयोः: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि + ओष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्री/पुं (मिश्र), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्व (नाभि-ओष्ठ)

• हस्तिजिह्वाध्यानः: meditation on the elephant-tongue (form)
• हस्तिजिह्वाध्यानः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ति + जिह्वा + ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (हस्ति-जिह्वा-ध्यानः)

• नागोग्निदेवता: the deities Nāga and Agni (together)
• नागोग्निदेवता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग + अग्नि + देवता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (नाग+अग्नि) पूर्वपद, देवता-शब्देन समासः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instructing Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Harnessing fierce-purificatory knowledge (Aghora) and elemental guardianship (Agni/Nāga) to transmute inner energies through disciplined visualization.

Vedantic Theme: Śakti as instrument for purification; transforming tamas/rajas into clarity through inner yajña (Agni as inner fire).

Application: Pair visualization with regulated breath: feel a cool stable seat at the palate, then kindle a controlled inner ‘Agni’ (not agitation) while maintaining ethical restraint; treat intense imagery as purification, not aggression.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: yogic subtle anatomy (oral/palatal locus)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.23.45 (Rudra-cause, red color, flame-triangle form)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Nāga

FAQs

What is the importance of Aghora-vidyā in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, Aghora-vidyā is presented as a specific mantric knowledge used to empower meditation on an inner lotus-center, indicating purification and protection through a defined dhyāna practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than describing post-death travel directly, it gives a subtle-body meditation framework—centers, forms, and presiding deities—used for inner purification and steadiness, which the Garuda Purana links to auspicious outcomes and spiritual readiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that ritual life in the Garuda Purana includes disciplined inner practice: focused meditation with mantra-awareness and reverence for presiding deities, supporting ethical living and mental clarity.