Shloka 46

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

द्वारपालाश्च कर्तव्या मुख्या गत्वा पृथक्पृथक् / किञ्चिददूरतः कार्या मठास्तत्रोपजीविनाम्

Transliteration

dvārapālāśca kartavyā mukhyā gatvā pṛthakpṛthak / kiñcidadūrataḥ kāryā maṭhāstatropajīvinām

Translation

द्वारपालाश्च कर्तव्या मुख्या गत्वा पृथक्पृथक्; किञ्चिददूरतः कार्या मठास्तत्रोपजीविनाम्।

Word by Word

• द्वार-पालाः: door-guards
• द्वार-पालाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक) + पाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (nom. pl.)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कर्तव्याः: should be appointed
• कर्तव्याः: Vidhi (Obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) → कर्तव्य (कृदन्त, विधेय/gerundive)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘to be appointed/made’ (gerundive, masc. nom. pl.)

• मुख्याः: chief
• मुख्याः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Qualifier of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण (masc. nom. pl.)

• गत्वा: having gone / going
• गत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Adverbial to main injunction)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √गम् (धातु) → गत्वा (कृदन्त, त्वान्त)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वक्रिया ‘having gone/going’

• पृथक्-पृथक्: separately, one by one
• पृथक्-पृथक्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय) + पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरुक्ति-प्रयोग (distributive adverb)

• किञ्चित्: a little
• किञ्चित्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Degree)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (सर्वनाम/अव्ययप्राय)
• Form: अव्ययप्राय; परिमाणवाचक (a little/somewhat)

• अदूरतः: not far away
• अदूरतः: Adhikaraṇa (Spatial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अदूरतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (not far, at a short distance)

• कार्याः: should be made
• कार्याः: Vidhi (Obligation predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) → कार्य (कृदन्त, विधेय/gerundive)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; ‘to be made’ (gerundive, masc. nom. pl.)

• मठाः: monasteries/quarters
• मठाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन (nom. pl.)

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (there)

• उपजीविनाम्: of dependents/attendants
• उपजीविनाम्: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपजीविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन (gen. pl.)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred institutions require guardianship and supported livelihoods for those who maintain ritual continuity.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as supportive infrastructure for bhakti—outer order enabling inner devotion.

Application: Assign clear roles (security/management) and provide housing/support for temple staff to ensure stable, ethical functioning.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: threshold/security posts and monastic/service residences

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.44-45 (site planning); Garuda Purana 1.47.47 (worship within the prepared precinct)

FAQs

What is the importance of appointing dvārapālas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses orderly guardianship of a sacred or regulated space by assigning chief gatekeepers to distinct posts, ensuring proper conduct and protection of the precinct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s journey; instead, it gives organizational instructions—suggesting that dharmic order and clear roles are essential in places connected with worship, discipline, or ritual life.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain clear responsibilities and respectful boundaries in religious institutions or community spaces—appoint accountable stewards, and provide proper facilities for those who serve.