Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

चतुर्धा शिखरं कृत्वा त्रिभागे वेदिबन्धनम् / चतुर्थे पुनरस्यैव कण्ठमामूलसाधनम्

Transliteration

caturdhā śikharaṃ kṛtvā tribhāge vedibandhanam / caturthe punarasyaiva kaṇṭhamāmūlasādhanam

Translation

चतुर्धा शिखरं कृत्वा त्रिभागे वेदिबन्धनम्। चतुर्थे पुनरेवास्य कण्ठमामूलसाधनम्॥

Word by Word

• caturdhā: into four parts
• caturdhā: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: catur (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + dhā (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: ‘in four parts/ways’)

• śikharam: the peak/top (structure)
• śikharam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śikhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• kṛtvā: having made/divided
• kṛtvā: Kriya (Non-finite verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having made/done’

• tri-bhāge: in the third part
• tri-bhāge: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास

• vedi-bandhanam: the binding of the vedi (platform)
• vedi-bandhanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vedi (प्रातिपदिक) + bandhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (वेदिबन्धनम् = binding/fastening of the altar/platform)

• caturthe: in the fourth (part)
• caturthe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसक (भाग-शब्द-लोपे), सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक (ordinal)

• punaḥ: again; further
• punaḥ: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘again/further’)

• asya: of this
• asya: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• eva: indeed; just
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात (particle: ‘only/indeed’)

• kaṇṭham: the neck/throat (section)
• kaṇṭham: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaṇṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ā-mūla-sādhanam: construction up to the base
• ā-mūla-sādhanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ā (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + mūla (प्रातिपदिक) + sādhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; अव्ययीभाव-समास (आमूलसाधनम् = construction/arrangement up to the base)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Integration of parts (aṅga-aṅgī-bhāva) in sacred architecture: summit, platform, neck, and base must cohere by rule.

Vedantic Theme: Harmony (sāmya) and coherence in form as support for contemplative worship.

Application: When building or restoring a shrine, ensure structural elements are proportionally integrated from top to base; avoid piecemeal alterations that break canonical continuity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: temple superstructure (śikhara) and altar-platform (vedi) zone

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.4 (division options and outlet placement); Garuda Purana 1.47.6 (garbha formation); Garuda Purana 1.47.7-8 (wall and śikhara height ratios; pradakṣiṇā width)

FAQs

What is the importance of vedi construction in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the vedi as a precisely formed ritual support—its divisions, bindings, and structural parts are prescribed so that offerings and rites (often connected with śrāddha or related observances) are performed in the correct, tradition-sanctioned manner.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana death rituals?

While the verse itself is technical and architectural, such instructions commonly underpin rites where offerings are made; correct setup of the vedi is presented as part of proper observance that supports the intended spiritual efficacy of the ritual framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional rites, follow a qualified priest/tradition for correct setup; more broadly, the takeaway is that sacred actions are to be done with precision, care, and respect for established procedure.