Shloka 22

Mantra-Nyāsa and Elemental Maṇḍalas: Nāga Invocation and Garuḍa–Bhairava Dhyāna for Protection

Devanagari script

पृथिवीं पादयोर्दद्यात्तप्तकाञ्चनसप्रभाम् / अशेषभुवनाकीर्णां लोकपालसमन्विताम्

Transliteration

pṛthivīṃ pādayordadyāttaptakāñcanasaprabhām / aśeṣabhuvanākīrṇāṃ lokapālasamanvitām

Translation

పాదాల వద్ద భూమిని అర్పించాలి—తప్త స్వర్ణప్రభలా ప్రకాశించే—సర్వ భువనాలతో నిండినదిగా, దిక్పాలకులతో సమన్వితంగా.

Word by Word

• पृथिवीम्: the earth
• पृथिवीम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• पादयोः: at the two feet
• पादयोः: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; अत्र अधिकरणार्थे (at the feet)

• दद्यात्: should place/give
• दद्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तप्तकाञ्चनसप्रभाम्: having the luster like heated gold
• तप्तकाञ्चनसप्रभाम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तप्त + काञ्चन + स + प्रभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः (तप्तकाञ्चनस्य प्रभा इव/सदृशी)

• अशेषभुवनाकीर्णाम्: filled with all worlds entirely
• अशेषभुवनाकीर्णाम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशेष + भुवन + आकीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष (अशेषैः भुवनैः आकीर्णा)

• लोकपालसमन्विताम्: accompanied by the guardians of the worlds
• लोकपालसमन्विताम्: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोकपाल + समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष (लोकपालैः समन्विता)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Cosmic visualization of Earth—golden-radiant, world-filled, direction-guarded—offered at the feet as a contemplative act that integrates microcosm and macrocosm.

Vedantic Theme: The universe as a contemplated whole (viśva) can be internalized and offered, reducing egoic ownership and aligning the self with cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).

Application: In meditation, visualize Earth as a luminous sphere at the feet; include the eight directions and their guardians; cultivate gratitude, stability, and humility before proceeding to inner placement (nyāsa).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic element (mahābhūta) as offering/nyāsa locus

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.197 (sequence of element-visualizations and internal placements)

Characters & Entities

• Lokapalas
• Prithivi (Earth)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering 'Prithivi-dāna' (gift of the Earth) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents an idealized supreme gift—symbolically offering the whole Earth with its realms and guardians—signifying complete surrender, reverence, and the pursuit of great religious merit through dāna.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals and merit?

In Garuda Purana discussions, dāna is repeatedly emphasized as a means to support the departed and accumulate punya; this verse highlights the highest form of giving, framed as a devotional offering at the feet of the divine.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice sincere charity within your means—especially offerings made with humility and devotion—treating giving as an act of surrender rather than display.