Shloka 21

Vāstu-pūjā, Vāstu-maṇḍala Deities, Site Computations, and Doorway/Tree Prescriptions

Devanagari script

कर्णे चैवाथ शिख्याद्यास्तथा देवाः प्रकीर्तिताः / तेभ्यो ह्युभयतः सार्धादन्ये ऽपि द्विपदाः सुराः

Transliteration

karṇe caivātha śikhyādyāstathā devāḥ prakīrtitāḥ / tebhyo hyubhayataḥ sārdhādanye 'pi dvipadāḥ surāḥ

Translation

കർണസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലും ശിഖ്യാ മുതലായ സ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലും ദേവന്മാർ സ്ഥാപിതരാണെന്ന് പ്രഖ്യാതമാണ്. അവരിൽ നിന്ന് ഇരുവശങ്ങളിലുമായി മറ്റു ദ്വിപദ (രണ്ടു ഖണ്ഡ) സുരഗണങ്ങളും എണ്ണപ്പെടുന്നു।

Word by Word

कर्णेin the ear/at the ear-region

चand

एवindeed/just

अथthen

शिख्याद्याःŚikhi and others

तथाlikewise

देवाःgods

प्रकीर्तिताःare declared/mentioned

तेभ्यःfrom them

हिindeed/for

उभयतःon both sides

सार्धात्together with

अन्येother

अपिalso

द्विपदाःtwo-footed; two-part

सुराःdeities

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The sacred is distributed through ordered correspondences; multiplicity of devas arises from a structured principle rather than randomness.

Vedantic Theme: Many forms, one order: nāma-rūpa arranged upon an underlying unity; contemplative recognition of pattern behind diversity.

Application: In planning (ritual or secular), respect systems and dependencies; place functions thoughtfully rather than haphazardly, and keep awareness of ‘sensitive zones’ in any complex system.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: mandala sub-zones / symbolic anatomy of space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.20 (64-pada vāstu and central Brahmā)

Characters & Entities

Devas

Suras

FAQs

What is the importance of mapping Devas to body parts in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a sacralized view of the human form, where specific locations (like the ears and the śikhyā/crest) are associated with Devas, supporting a ritual-cosmological understanding of the body.

How does this verse explain the presence of other divine beings?

It states that, in addition to the Devas identified in these bodily loci, there are also other 'two-footed' divine beings (suras) reckoned on both sides—indicating a broader hierarchy of divine presences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the body as a sacred trust: maintain purity, discipline, and respectful conduct, especially in ritual contexts where the śikhyā and bodily sanctity are traditionally emphasized.