Shloka 13

Devanagari script

रक्षाविधानं सुमहद्विधाय हर्म्योपरिष्ठं क्रियते यदा तत् / तदा महादुन्दुभिमन्द्रघोषैर्विद्युल्लताविस्फुरितान्तरालैः

Transliteration

rakṣāvidhānaṃ sumahadvidhāya harmyopariṣṭhaṃ kriyate yadā tat / tadā mahādundubhimandraghoṣairvidyullatāvisphuritāntarālaiḥ

Translation

విశాలమైన రక్షావిధానాన్ని విధిపూర్వకంగా నిర్వహించి, దానిని భవనపు పైభాగంలో స్థాపించినప్పుడు, మధ్యనున్న ఆకాశప్రదేశం మహాదుందుభుల గంభీర నాదంతోను, విద్యుత్తు లతలవలె మెరుస్తూ కనిపించే అంతరాలతోను నిండిపోతుంది.

Word by Word

• रक्षाविधानम्: protective arrangement/rite
• रक्षाविधानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakṣā + vidhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• सुमहत्: very great
• सुमहत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (रक्षाविधानम्)

• विधाय: having arranged
• विधाय: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vi-√dhā (धातु) + ल्यप् (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (gerund): ‘having performed/arranged’

• हर्म्य-उपरिष्ठम्: the upper part/top of the mansion
• हर्म्य-उपरिष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: harmya + upariṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• क्रियते: is done/is performed
• क्रियते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः, प्रथम-पुरुषः, एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive)

• यदा: when
• यदा: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययम् (temporal adverb)

• तत्: that (rite/act)
• तत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; अत्र कर्म-निर्देशः (object-reference)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्ययम् (then)

• महादुन्दुभिमन्द्रघोषैः: with deep sounds of great drums
• महादुन्दुभिमन्द्रघोषैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + dundubhi + mandra + ghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• विद्युल्लताविस्फुरितान्तरालैः: with intervals lit by flashing lightning-creepers
• विद्युल्लताविस्फुरितान्तरालैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidyut + latā + visphurita (कृदन्त; vi-√sphur (धातु) + क्त) + antarāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rakṣā (protective order) is established through proper vidhi; when dharmically performed, protection becomes palpable and effective.

Vedantic Theme: Ritual as upāya within vyavahāra: ordered action aligns the microcosm (home) with cosmic forces (sound/light).

Application: Perform protective/consecratory practices with correctness and responsibility; treat the home as a space requiring intentional safeguarding (ethical and practical).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: household/roof installation site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.69.14 (effects: freedom from serpents, demons, disease, omens)

FAQs

What is the importance of rakṣā-vidhāna (protective rites) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents rakṣā-vidhāna as a formally established protective arrangement whose successful performance is marked by powerful, auspicious phenomena—suggesting ritual efficacy and divine safeguarding.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul or after-death journey?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death route; instead, it highlights dharmic protective rites and their omens, a theme that supports broader Purāṇic concerns with correct observance and spiritual security.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Undertake protective prayers/rites with discipline and clarity of intent, keep the home-space ritually clean, and treat such observances as supports for steadiness, ethical living, and remembrance of the sacred.