Shloka 54

Pitṛ-Stuti, Tarpaṇa, and the Ritual Power of Recitation in Śrāddha

Devanagari script

नक्षत्राणां ग्रहाणां च वाय्वग्न्योर्नभसस्तथा / द्यावापृथिव्योश्च तथा नमस्यामि कृताञ्जलिः

Transliteration

nakṣatrāṇāṃ grahāṇāṃ ca vāyvagnyornabhasastathā / dyāvāpṛthivyośca tathā namasyāmi kṛtāñjaliḥ

Translation

నేను కృతాంజలిగా నక్షత్రములకు, గ్రహములకు, వాయువు–అగ్నికి, ఆకాశానికి, అలాగే ద్యౌః మరియు పృథివికి నమస్కరిస్తున్నాను।

Word by Word

• नक्षत्राणाम्: of the constellations
• नक्षत्राणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नक्षत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठीविभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• ग्रहाणाम्: of the planets
• ग्रहाणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठीविभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordinator/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• वाय्वग्न्योः: of wind and fire
• वाय्वग्न्योः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास, पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठीविभक्ति (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन

• नभसः: of the sky
• नभसः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नभस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठीविभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/also)

• द्यावापृथिव्योः: of heaven and earth
• द्यावापृथिव्योः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्याव्/द्यौ (प्रातिपदिक) + पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्वसमास, स्त्रीलिङ्ग (समाहार/युग्म), षष्ठीविभक्ति (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordinator/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: likewise/also)

• नमस्यामि: I bow / I salute
• नमस्यामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कृताञ्जलिः: with folded hands
• कृताञ्जलिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु-निष्पन्न, कृदन्त) + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (कृतः अञ्जलिः यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (कर्तृविशेषण)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing the cosmic deities/elements in reverence

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Acknowledging cosmic powers as limbs of order (ṛta) and cultivating humility through namaskāra.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as the inner ruler (antaryāmin) manifesting as cosmic functions; reverence purifies the mind (citta-śuddhi).

Application: Begin rites, study, or travel with a brief salutation to the cosmic order; practice mindful gratitude to reduce ego and align actions with dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic directions/elements

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.89.55-58 (continuation of the salutation sequence to deities, worlds, Pitṛs, Agni-Soma)

Characters & Entities

• Nakshatras
• Grahas
• Vayu
• Agni
• Nabhas (Sky/Space)
• Dyava (Heaven)
• Prithivi (Earth)

FAQs

What is the importance of saluting grahas and nakshatras in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes aligning oneself with cosmic order by offering reverence to planetary and stellar forces regarded as regulators of time, fate, and auspiciousness in dharmic life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the universe—planets, stars, elements, sky, heaven and earth—as the divine framework through which embodied beings move; reverence to these powers supports harmony and spiritual preparedness within that cosmic journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate humility and gratitude toward nature and the cosmic order—through daily prayer, mindful living with the elements (air, fire, space), and ethical conduct that supports inner balance and auspicious outcomes.