Shloka 18

Māheśvara-pūjā-vidhi: Nyāsa, Maṇḍala-āvāhana, Kalā-salutations, and Upacāra Worship

Devanagari script

नृत्यं छत्रा दिकरणं मुद्राणां दर्शनं तता / रूपं ध्यानं जपञ्चाथ एकवद्भाव एव च

Transliteration

nṛtyaṃ chatrā dikaraṇaṃ mudrāṇāṃ darśanaṃ tatā / rūpaṃ dhyānaṃ japañcātha ekavadbhāva eva ca

Translation

Tarian, pemegangan payung upacara dan perbuatan seumpamanya, memperlihatkan mudrā (isyarat tangan), juga rupa (wujud ikonik), meditasi, japa (zikir mantra), serta kesatuan tumpuan—menjadi ‘satu’ dengan Dewa—semuanya juga diakui sebagai cara pemujaan.

Word by Word

• नृत्यम्: dance
• नृत्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृत्य (प्रातिपदिक; √नृत् (धातु) भाववाचक-नाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• छत्र: umbrella (service/offer)
• छत्र: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: छत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (पाठान्तर-सम्भवः: छत्रादिकरणम्)

• आदिकरणम्: and other services/acts
• आदिकरणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि + करण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आदीनां करणम्—etc. services)

• मुद्राणाम्: of (hand) gestures/seals
• मुद्राणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी बहुवचन (Gen. pl.)

• दर्शनम्: showing/display
• दर्शनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक; √दृश् (धातु) भाववाचक-नाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/प्रकारार्थक (likewise/also)

• रूपम्: form, appearance
• रूपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• ध्यानम्: meditation
• ध्यानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक; √ध्यै (धातु) भाववाचक-नाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• जपम्: recitation (japa)
• जपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक; √जप् (धातु) भाववाचक-नाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• अथ: then, thereafter
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तर/प्रारम्भार्थक (then/now)

• एकवद्भावः: state of being as one (unison)
• एकवद्भावः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकवत् + भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (Nom. sg.); समासः—तत्पुरुष (एकवत् इव भावः)

• एव: indeed, only
• एव: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ekavad-bhāva: single-pointed identification/oneness in worship, supported by dhyāna and japa; outer forms can lead to inner unity.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā leading toward ekāgratā and the dissolution of bheda-buddhi (sense of separation) in devotional contemplation.

Application: Use a progression: begin with embodied devotion (gesture, song, movement), then sit for dhyāna and japa, ending with a few minutes of silent, single-pointed presence.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/ritual arena (nṛtya-maṇḍapa)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.40.16-17 (upacāras); Garuda Purana 1.40.19 (mūla-mantra-centered japa/pūjā)

FAQs

What is the importance of ekavadbhava (becoming ‘as one’) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats ekavadbhava as a valid form of worship—devotion matures into single-pointed identification with the deity, not merely external ritual.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing meditation, japa, and inner oneness (along with outward devotional acts), it points to purification and steadying of the mind—key supports for spiritual progress taught throughout the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Combine a simple daily japa and short meditation with mindful devotional expression (e.g., respectful service, gestures, or kirtan/dance), aiming for focused, undivided remembrance.