Shloka 51

Devatā-Pratiṣṭhā: Maṇḍapa Construction, Dikpāla Worship, Kalaśa-Abhiṣeka, Nyāsa and Homa Procedures

Devanagari script

अभिषेकाय कुम्भेषु तत्तत्तीर्थानि विन्यसेत् / पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि सरितः सागरास्तथा

Transliteration

abhiṣekāya kumbheṣu tattattīrthāni vinyaset / pṛthivyāṃ yāni tīrthāni saritaḥ sāgarāstathā

Translation

അഭിഷേകത്തിനായി കുംഭങ്ങളിൽ അതത് തീർത്ഥജലങ്ങൾ വിന്യസിക്കണം—ഭൂമിയിലെ എല്ലാ തീർത്ഥങ്ങളും, നദികളും സമുദ്രങ്ങളും ഉൾപ്പെടെ।

Word by Word

• अभिषेकाय: for consecration/ablution
• अभिषेकाय: Sampradana (Purpose/Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन (Singular)

• कुम्भेषु: in the pots
• कुम्भेषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तत्: that (each)
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular), पुनरुक्ति (reduplicated for distributive sense)

• तत्: that (respective)
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular), पुनरुक्ति (distributive)

• तीर्थानि: sacred waters/pilgrimage-places
• तीर्थानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), बहुवचन (Plural)

• विन्यसेत्: should place/arrange
• विन्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√अस् (धातु) + वि- (उपसर्ग)
• Form: विधिलिङ्-लकार (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद

• पृथिव्याम्: on the earth
• पृथिव्याम्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन (Singular)

• यानि: which (all)
• यानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), बहुवचन (Plural), सम्बन्धवाचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• तीर्थानि: sacred waters/holy places
• तीर्थानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सरितः: rivers
• सरितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरित् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सागराः: oceans
• सागराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तथा: likewise; also
• तथा: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (adverb: ‘likewise/so’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: For abhiṣeka within śrāddha-associated consecrations (contextual)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tīrtha as purifier: sanctity is invoked through remembrance, representation, and proper ritual containment for abhiṣeka.

Vedantic Theme: Unity-in-diversity: many sacred places symbolically converge; external tīrtha supports internal tīrtha (purified mind).

Application: When travel is impossible, cultivate sanctity through sincere invocation and disciplined practice; integrate ‘many goods’ into one focused act.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: sacred geography (tīrtha network) represented in vessels

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (abhiṣeka with tīrtha-jala; continuation of kalasha rites); Garuda Purana tīrtha/śrāddha discussions where tīrtha-jala is praised (general parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking tīrthas into kumbhas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that a kalasha used for abhiṣeka can be sacralized by ritually ‘placing’ (invoking) the presence of all tīrthas—rivers and oceans included—so the bath functions as a comprehensive purification.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader ritual framework: purification and consecration rites are prescribed to aid dharmic order and the well-being of the departed and living, even though this specific line focuses on abhiṣeka preparation rather than the soul’s travel.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing abhiṣeka or related rites, treat the water vessel as a sacred kalasha—use clean water, invoke holy waters through mantra and intention, and perform the act with reverence and ethical discipline.