Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

कुर्यादधोगतान्येव अन्यानि च वृषध्वज / रेवती चाश्विनी चित्रा स्वाती हस्ता पुनर्वसू

Transliteration

kuryādadhogatānyeva anyāni ca vṛṣadhvaja / revatī cāśvinī citrā svātī hastā punarvasū

Translation

ഹേ വൃഷധ്വജാ! അധോഗതമായ ശേഷിക്കുന്ന നക്ഷത്രങ്ങളിലും ക്രമമായി വിധികർമ്മങ്ങൾ ചെയ്യണം—രേവതി, അശ്വിനി, ചിത്രാ, സ്വാതി, ഹസ്താ, പുനർവസു।

Word by Word

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• अधोगतानि: those that are downward-going (i.e., lower-facing)
• अधोगतानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधः (अव्यय) + गत (कृदन्त, √गम्) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); कृदन्त: भूतकृदन्त (Past participle) ‘गत’

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• अन्यानि: other (things)
• अन्यानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• वृषध्वज: O Bull-bannered one (Śiva)
• वृषध्वज: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), सम्बोधन (Vocative/8th), एकवचन (Singular); बहुव्रीहि: वृषः ध्वजः यस्य (one whose banner is a bull)

• रेवती: Revatī (nakṣatra)
• रेवती: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेवती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• अश्विनी: Aśvinī (nakṣatra)
• अश्विनी: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अश्विनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• चित्रा: Citrā (nakṣatra)
• चित्रा: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वाती: Svātī (nakṣatra)
• स्वाती: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• हस्ता: Hastā (nakṣatra)
• हस्ता: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• पुनर्वसू: Punarvasū (nakṣatra, dual)
• पुनर्वसू: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुनर्वसू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), द्विवचन (Dual); द्वन्द्व: पुनः + वसू (the two Vasus)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karma is to be performed in alignment with auspicious temporal markers (nakshatras) and prescribed order.

Vedantic Theme: Rta/Dharma as cosmic order reflected in disciplined action (pravritti)

Application: Use nakshatra-based muhurta selection and follow the stated sequence when scheduling samskara/ritual tasks.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/astrological setting (nakshatra-cycle)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59 (nakshatra-muhurta/karma-bheda context)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Vṛṣadhvaja)
• Revatī
• Aśvinī
• Citrā
• Svātī
• Hastā
• Punarvasū

FAQs

What is the importance of nakshatras in Garuda Purana rites?

This verse lists specific nakṣatras, indicating that certain śrāddha or related rites are to be performed in an ordered way with reference to lunar mansions, reflecting the text’s concern for correct ritual timing (kāla).

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

While it does not describe the soul’s path directly, it supports the Garuda Purana theme that properly timed post-death rites (like śrāddha/pinda-related observances) aid the departed and uphold dharma.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When planning śrāddha or memorial observances, consult a competent priest/panchāṅga to align the rite with appropriate nakṣatra-based timing, maintaining traditional discipline and intention.