Shloka 42
Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas
विष्कम्भे घटिकाः पञ्च शूले सप्त प्रकीर्तिताः / षड्गण्डे चातिगण्डे च नव व्याघातवज्रयोः
viṣkambhe ghaṭikāḥ pañca śūle sapta prakīrtitāḥ / ṣaḍgaṇḍe cātigaṇḍe ca nava vyāghātavajrayoḥ
വിഷ്കംഭത്തിൽ അഞ്ചു ഘടികകൾ, ശൂലത്തിൽ ഏഴ് എന്നു പ്രസ്താവിക്കുന്നു; ഷഡ്ഗണ്ഡവും അതിഗണ്ഡവും ആറിൽ; വ്യാഘാതവും വജ്രവും ഒമ്പതിൽ (ഘടികകൾ) എന്നു നിശ്ചയം।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Specific yogas/periods (Viṣkambha, Śūla, Ṣaḍgaṇḍa, Atigaṇḍa, Vyāghāta, Vajra) have stated ghaṭikā durations relevant for timing decisions.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma in action requires discernment of conditions (deśa-kāla-pātra), with kāla as a governing condition.
Application: When planning rites or major actions, consult the pañcāṅga to identify these yogas and their durations in ghaṭikās to avoid or manage them.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59.43 (avoidance instruction on specific yogas); Garuda Purana 1.59 (sequence of muhūrta/yoga rules)
FAQs
This verse assigns specific ghaṭikā durations to named periods (Viṣkambha, Śūla, etc.), supporting precise ritual timing and calendrical decision-making.
It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it provides technical timing measures used to schedule rites that the text elsewhere links with post-death welfare (e.g., śrāddha, offerings).
Use it as a traditional reference for choosing or validating ritual time windows (ghaṭikā-based) when consulting a pañcāṅga or priest for śrāddha and other observances.