Shloka 14

Devatā-Pratiṣṭhā: Maṇḍapa Construction, Dikpāla Worship, Kalaśa-Abhiṣeka, Nyāsa and Homa Procedures

Devanagari script

शन्नोदेवीति मन्त्रेण उत्तरस्यां चतुर्थकम् / पूर्वे अम्बुदवत्कार्या आग्नोय्यां धूमरूपिणी

Transliteration

śannodevīti mantreṇa uttarasyāṃ caturthakam / pūrve ambudavatkāryā āgnoyyāṃ dhūmarūpiṇī

Translation

‘శన్నో దేవీ…’ మంత్రంతో ఉత్తరంలో నాల్గవ న్యాసం చేయాలి. తూర్పున మేఘరూపంగా, ఆగ్నేయంలో ధూమరూపంగా చేయాలి.

Word by Word

• शन्नोदेवी: “śanno devī” (as the mantra)
• शन्नोदेवी: Sambandha (Quotation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शन्नोदेवी (मन्त्र-पाठ; अव्ययवत्)
• Form: अव्यय; मन्त्र-उद्धरण (quoted mantra segment)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-चिह्न

• मन्त्रेण: with the mantra
• मन्त्रेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• उत्तरस्याम्: in the north
• उत्तरस्याम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• चतुर्थकम्: the fourth (placement/item)
• चतुर्थकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर्थक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्म (placed item)

• पूर्वे: in the east
• पूर्वे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

• अम्बुदवत्: like a cloud
• अम्बुदवत्: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अम्बुद + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः; वत्-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (like a cloud) — अव्ययभावेन उपमान

• कार्या: should be made
• कार्या: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + यत् (कृत्) → कार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण; कर्तव्य/निर्देश (to be made)

• आग्नेय्याम्: in the southeast
• आग्नेय्याम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आग्नेयी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (southeast direction)

• धूमरूपिणी: smoke-formed / having the form of smoke
• धूमरूपिणी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धूम + रूपिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (धूमरूपा)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra is paired with bhāvanā (visualization): specific directions are energized by specific forms (cloud/smoke) to complete the rite’s subtle architecture.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā as a bridge between gross action and subtle concentration; nāma-rūpa disciplined toward sacred order.

Application: During worship/meditation, add a stable visualization aligned with the practice (e.g., light, cloud, smoke) to deepen attention and reduce distraction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-mandala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48.12-13 (earlier placements); Garuda Purana 1.48.15 (directional colors/forms elaborated)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Devi (as invoked in the mantra)

FAQs

What is the importance of directional placement in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse specifies that certain ritual steps are performed in particular directions (north, east, southeast), indicating that orientation is treated as a functional part of the rite rather than a mere formality.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly—by prescribing precise ritual actions and mantras, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s view that correct rites support the departed and maintain cosmic order (ṛta) during transitional phases.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing traditional rites, follow a qualified priest’s guidance on mantra-use and directional rules; more broadly, it teaches disciplined attention to sacred procedure and intention.