Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

उत्तरे रक्तवर्णा तु शुक्लेशी च पताकिका / बहुरूपा तथा मध्ये इन्द्रविद्येति पूर्वके

Transliteration

uttare raktavarṇā tu śukleśī ca patākikā / bahurūpā tathā madhye indravidyeti pūrvake

Translation

उत्तरे रक्तवर्णा, तसेच शुक्लेशी व पताकिका. मध्ये बहुरूपा, आणि पूर्वेस ‘इन्द्रविद्या’ अशी कीर्तित शक्ती आहे.

Word by Word

• उत्तरे: in the north
• उत्तरे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• रक्तवर्णा: red-colored
• रक्तवर्णा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (रक्तः वर्णः यस्याः/या)

• तु: but/and
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात

• शुक्लेशी: the white goddess/lady
• शुक्लेशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्ल + ईशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (शुक्ला ईशी)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पताकिका: banner-like figure / small flag
• पताकिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताकिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• बहुरूपा: many-formed
• बहुरूपा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः बहुव्रीहि (बहूनि रूपाणि यस्याः/या)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय (adverb)

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• इन्द्रविद्या: Indra-vidyā (mantra/knowledge)
• इन्द्रविद्या: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र + विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (contextual), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (इन्द्रस्य विद्या) — मन्त्रनाम

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-चिह्न

• पूर्वके: as preceding / with the preceding (mantra)
• पूर्वके: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषण — ‘पूर्वक’ (preceded by/with as preceding)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual completeness requires both dik-based differentiation and a unifying central principle (madhya) represented by Bahurūpā (‘many-formed’).

Vedantic Theme: Unity expressing as multiplicity (ekaṃ sat—bahudhā); the center as symbolic of the Self/Īśvara around which functions revolve.

Application: In complex practices, define a stable ‘center’ (core intention/primary deity/primary value) so diverse steps remain integrated rather than fragmented.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-mandala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.12-15 (directional placements, forms, colors)

Characters & Entities

• Indravidyā
• Śukleśī
• Patākikā
• Bahurūpā

FAQs

What is the importance of directional powers (dik-devatā/vidyā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse maps specific named powers/vidyās to directions, reflecting how sacred space is organized for contemplation and ritual orientation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by describing a structured cosmic geography (directions and presiding powers), it supports the Purana’s broader theme that the subtle journey follows ordered realms and guardians, not randomness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing japa, pūjā, or śrāddha-related observances, maintain directional awareness and disciplined ritual layout—treating space as sacred and ordered.