Shloka 18
Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas
त्रीणि,पूर्वा तथा चैव अधोवक्राः प्रकीर्तिताः? / एषु वापीतडागादिकूपभूमितृणानि च
trīṇi,pūrvā tathā caiva adhovakrāḥ prakīrtitāḥ? / eṣu vāpītaḍāgādikūpabhūmitṛṇāni ca
మూడు ‘పూర్వా’ అని చెప్పబడినవి; అలాగే ‘అధోవక్ర’ అని కూడా ప్రఖ్యాతమైనవి; వీటిలో బావులు, చెరువులు-కుంటలు మొదలైనవి, గుంతల భూమి మరియు గడ్డి మొదలైనవి సూచించబడినవి।
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Cosmic classifications (directional/astral) are applied to earthly undertakings like identifying or evaluating sites (wells, ponds, pits, grasses/ground).
Vedantic Theme: Correspondence between macrocosm and microcosm (loka–piṇḍa-sāmya) as a practical heuristic within dharmic life.
Application: When selecting or evaluating land/water sites for use or excavation, consider traditional directional/astral categories described in the surrounding jyotiṣa/vaastu context.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: waterworks and land features
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59.19 (digging/entering pits and related acts)
FAQs
This verse groups water-sources and ground features as recognized categories, indicating that specific places (like wells, ponds, tanks, and land patches) are considered significant in ritual classification and observances connected with preta-related contexts.
In the Preta Kanda, such classifications often support the broader framework of post-death rites and the environment connected with preta states; here the focus is on enumerating recognized kinds of places/features rather than narrating a specific stage of travel.
When performing śrāddha or remembrance rites, treat water bodies and the ritual site with purity and care—maintaining cleanliness and reverence for wells/ponds/ground used for offerings aligns with the text’s emphasis on properly recognized places.