Shloka 2

Worship (Pūjā): Vajra-nābha Maṇḍala Construction, Lotus-Seat Design, and Vaiṣṇava Nyāsa

Devanagari script

षोडशैः कोष्ठकैस्तत्र संमितं रुद्र? कारयेत् / चतुर्थपञ्चकोणेषु सूत्रपातं तु कारयेत्

Transliteration

ṣoḍaśaiḥ koṣṭhakaistatra saṃmitaṃ rudra? kārayet / caturthapañcakoṇeṣu sūtrapātaṃ tu kārayet

Translation

അവിടെ പതിനാറു കോഷ്ടകങ്ങളാൽ അളവൊത്തതായി അത് നിർമ്മിക്കണം; നാലാം, അഞ്ചാം കോണുകളിൽ സൂത്രപാതം—അളവുകയർ പാകൽ—നടത്തണം.

Word by Word

• षोडशैः: with sixteen
• षोडशैः: Karana (Instrument/Measure)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षोडश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक-विशेषण

• कोष्ठकैः: with compartments/squares
• कोष्ठकैः: Karana (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोष्ठक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• संमितम्: measured; proportioned
• संमितम्: Karma (Object complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संमित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (measured/regulated)

• रुद्र: Rudra (likely as object)
• रुद्र: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; पाठदोष-सूचक '?'—सम्भाव्य रूप: 'रुद्रं' (द्वितीया एकवचन)

• कारयेत्: should have (it) made; should cause to be done
• कारयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) (णिच् causative: कारय)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative)

• चतुर्थपञ्चकोणेषु: in the fourth pentagonal sections
• चतुर्थपञ्चकोणेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्थपञ्चकोण (प्रातिपदिक) = चतुर्थ + पञ्चकोण
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (चतुर्थे पञ्चकोणे)

• सूत्रपातम्: the laying/dropping of the cord (line)
• सूत्रपातम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत्रपात (प्रातिपदिक) = सूत्र + पात
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (सूत्रस्य पातः/पातनम्)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Discourse marker (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis)

• कारयेत्: should have (it) done
• कारयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) (णिच् causative: कारय)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on correct proportion, layout, and careful alignment.

Vedantic Theme: Discipline (niyama) and attention refine the mind; outer order supports inner steadiness.

Application: Follow step-by-step procedures; verify measurements and alignment before proceeding—especially in any consecration or vow-based practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual diagram space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.8.1 (vajra-nābha maṇḍala with five colors); Garuda Purana 1.8.3 (corner-cord and further cord placement)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra

FAQs

What is the importance of the sixteen compartments mentioned in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse indicates a standardized, proportioned ritual layout—using sixteen divisions—so the rite is performed with correct measure and prescribed structure.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey described in the Garuda Purana?

It supports the broader Preta-kāṇḍa theme that post-death observances must be done precisely; correct ritual arrangement is presented as part of the ordered dharmic process surrounding the departed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional rites, follow an authentic procedure from a qualified priest/textual tradition, emphasizing accuracy, proportion, and disciplined observance rather than improvisation.