Shloka 16

Śiva-pūjā: Mantra-phonetics, Nyāsa, Maṇḍala, Dīkṣā and Homa

Supreme Worship Leading to Śiva-sāyujya

Devanagari script

होमयेदस्त्रबीजेन एवं दीक्षां समापयेत् / यजनव्यतिरेकेण गोप्यं संस्कारमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

homayedastrabījena evaṃ dīkṣāṃ samāpayet / yajanavyatirekeṇa gopyaṃ saṃskāramuttamam

Translation

அஸ்த்ரபீஜ மந்திரத்தால் ஹோமம் செய்து இவ்வாறு தீக்ஷையை நிறைவு செய்ய வேண்டும். முதன்மை யஜனத்தைத் தவிர, இது மறைவாகக் காக்க வேண்டிய உத்தம ஸம்ஸ்காரம்.

Word by Word

• होमयेत्: should offer (homa)
• होमयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• अस्त्रबीजेन: with the astra-seed mantra
• अस्त्रबीजेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र + बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (अस्त्रस्य बीजम्)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-Visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक

• दीक्षाम्: initiation
• दीक्षाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• समापयेत्: should complete/conclude
• समापयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; णिच् (causative) भावः: ‘समाप्तिं नयेत्’

• यजनव्यतिरेकेण: apart from (formal) sacrifice
• यजनव्यतिरेकेण: Hetu/Apavada (Exception/अपवाद)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यजन + व्यतिरेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (यजनस्य व्यतिरेकः = apart from sacrifice)

• गोप्यम्: to be kept secret
• गोप्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोप्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘संस्कारम्’ इति विशेषणम्

• संस्कारम्: rite/sacrament
• संस्कारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संस्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent/supreme
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘संस्कारम्’ इति विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra and rite culminate in dīkṣā-samāpti; esoteric disciplines are safeguarded to preserve efficacy and purity of transmission.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra (fitness) and upadeśa (proper transmission): sacred knowledge is potent and must be received through right means.

Application: Maintain integrity of spiritual practice: learn from qualified teachers, keep vows/constraints, and avoid casual disclosure that dilutes discipline.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual enclosure with restricted access

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: dīkṣā/saṃskāra discussions in early kāṇḍa (contextual internal parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of concluding dīkṣā with homa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the initiation is properly completed by performing a homa using the astra-bīja, marking dīkṣā-samāpti (formal closure) through a sanctifying fire-offering.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct saṃskāra and mantra-protected ritual completion, it supports the broader Purāṇic principle that disciplined rites and dharmic observance purify the practitioner and strengthen spiritual readiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat initiations and sacred practices as structured disciplines: complete them with proper closure rites (as taught by one’s guru/tradition) and maintain confidentiality about mantras and procedures meant to be protected.