Shloka 20

Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna

Devanagari script

अपसव्यादितो ब्रह्मा दर्भमध्ये तु केशवः / दर्भाग्रे शङ्करं विद्यात्त्रयो देवाः कुशे स्थिताः

Transliteration

apasavyādito brahmā darbhamadhye tu keśavaḥ / darbhāgre śaṅkaraṃ vidyāttrayo devāḥ kuśe sthitāḥ

Translation

Ketahuilah: pada sisi apasāvya rumput darbha ialah Brahmā; di bahagian tengahnya ialah Keśava (Viṣṇu); dan pada hujungnya ialah Śaṅkara (Śiva). Demikianlah tiga dewa difahami bersemayam dalam rumput kuśa.

Word by Word

• apasavyāt: from the apasavya side/position
• apasavyāt: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apasavya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन (Ablative singular: ‘from/starting with apasavya’)

• itaḥ: from there/thereafter
• itaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: itaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देश/क्रमवाचक (indeclinable: ‘from here/there; hence; from this point’)

• brahmā: Brahmā
• brahmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (ब्रह्मन्, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Masculine nominative singular)

• darbha-madhye: in the middle of the darbha grass
• darbha-madhye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक) + madhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (in the middle of darbha) (Locative singular)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, विरोध/विशेषार्थक (particle: but/indeed)

• keśavaḥ: Keśava (Viṣṇu)
• keśavaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: keśava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (Masculine nominative singular)

• darbha-agre: at the tip of the darbha grass
• darbha-agre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darbha (प्रातिपदिक) + agra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (at the tip of darbha) (Locative singular)

• śaṅkaram: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• śaṅkaram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (Masculine accusative singular)

• vidyāt: should know/understand
• vidyāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vid (विद्, धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद (Optative, 3rd sg.: ‘should know/recognize’)

• trayaḥ: three
• trayaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri (त्रि, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; संख्यावाचक विशेषण (Masculine nominative plural; numeral)

• devāḥ: gods
• devāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (Masculine nominative plural)

• kuśe: in/on the kuśa grass
• kuśe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन (Locative singular)

• sthitāḥ: situated/placed
• sthitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sthā (स्था, धातु) → sthita (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Masculine nominative plural; ‘situated’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During preparation/handling of kuśa in śrāddha and tarpaṇa

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divinity is immanent in ritual supports; the triad can be contemplated through a single sacred object (kuśa).

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-brahman contemplation through symbols; unity-in-diversity—multiple deities apprehended within one sacred medium.

Application: Handle kuśa with reverence; use it as a focus for mantra and visualization during rites; maintain purity of implements.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual implement (kuśa/darbha) within altar space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana śrāddha passages on kuśa as pavitra and seat of deities; Garuda Purana invocations placing deities in ritual items

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu (Keshava)
• Shiva (Shankara)
• Darbha/Kusha

FAQs

What is the importance of darbha (kuśa) grass in Garuda Purana funeral and śrāddha rituals?

This verse teaches that darbha is ritually treated as a sacred seat containing Brahmā, Viṣṇu (Keśava), and Śiva (Śaṅkara), which is why it is used to sanctify actions like offerings and placements in death-related rites.

How does this verse guide correct placement or handling of kuśa grass during rites?

It specifies a ritual mapping: Brahmā at the left-turned side (apasavya), Keśava in the middle, and Śaṅkara at the tip—helping the practitioner visualize and handle darbha with devotional precision.

Practical application of this teaching today?

When performing śrāddha, tarpaṇa, or related rites, treat darbha respectfully and mindfully—using it with the awareness that it symbolizes the presence of the Trimūrti and supports disciplined, reverent ritual conduct.