Shloka 8

Aśokāṣṭamī and Mahānavamī: Durgā Navamī-vrata, mantra-nyāsa, forms, weapons, and offerings

Devanagari script

अष्टम्यां नव गेहानि दारुजान्येकमेव वा / तस्मिन्देवी प्रकर्तव्या हैमी वाराजतापि वा

Transliteration

aṣṭamyāṃ nava gehāni dārujānyekameva vā / tasmindevī prakartavyā haimī vārājatāpi vā

Translation

Pada hari Aṣṭamī (hari kelapan bulan), hendaklah disediakan sembilan rumah suci kecil daripada kayu—atau satu sahaja pun memadai. Di dalamnya, hendaklah dibentuk arca Dewi, sama ada daripada emas ataupun juga daripada perak.

Word by Word

• अष्टम्याम्: on the eighth (tithi)
• अष्टम्याम्: Adhikarana (Time/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अष्टमी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन — Locative singular feminine (on the eighth lunar day)

• नव: nine
• नव: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे द्वितीया/प्रथमा (2/1), बहुवचन — numeral used adjectivally with ‘gehāni’

• गेहानि: houses/dwellings
• गेहानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गेह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन — Accusative plural neuter

• दारुजानि: made of wood
• दारुजानि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दारुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन — Accusative plural neuter; adjective to ‘gehāni’

• एकम्: one
• एकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular neuter

• एव: only
• एव: Sambandha/Emphasis (Nipāta)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपातः — particle ‘only/just’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-समुच्चय-निपातः — disjunctive particle ‘or’

• तस्मिन्: in that (place)
• तस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन — Locative singular neuter ‘in that’

• देवी: the देवी (goddess)
• देवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Nominative singular feminine

• प्रकर्तव्या: should be made
• प्रकर्तव्या: Vidheyavisheshana (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + कृ (धातु)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्यय (तव्यत्) कृदन्त; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — gerundive ‘to be made/constructed’

• हैमी: golden
• हैमी: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हैम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Nominative singular feminine; adjective to ‘devī’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः — ‘or’

• राजता: silver (made of silver)
• राजता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: राजत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — Nominative singular feminine; adjective to ‘devī’

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha/Emphasis (Nipāta)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/सम्भावनार्थक-निपातः — particle ‘also/even’

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपातः — ‘or’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual action timed to auspicious lunar day and supported by material preparation becomes a vehicle for devotion and protective grace.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga orientation: offering of resources and effort as worship; sanctifying matter through intention and rite.

Application: Observe sacred timings with sincerity; create a clean dedicated worship space; offer within means (nine shrines or one) without losing devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: household shrine/temporary pavilion (mandapa)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.133.6-7 (mantra and nyāsa); Garuda Purana 1.133.9-10 (worship supports and iconography)

Characters & Entities

• Devi

FAQs

What is the importance of Ashtami (eighth tithi) worship in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Ashtami as a prescribed time for a specific Devi-oriented rite, emphasizing timely (tithi-based) observance and proper preparation of a shrine and image.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana ritual discipline (dharma)?

It frames ritual discipline through clear do’s—constructing designated shrines and installing a properly made image—showing that dharma includes precise, intentional worship acts.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe worship with care and sincerity: set up a clean altar (even a simple one), choose respectful materials within your means, and keep the practice aligned with the intended sacred timing.