Shloka 51

Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva

Devanagari script

षोडशकोटिविस्तीर्णं पञ्चविंशतिकोच्छ्रयम् / वर्तुलं चिन्तयेव्द्योम भुतशुद्धिरुदाहृता

Transliteration

ṣoḍaśakoṭivistīrṇaṃ pañcaviṃśatikocchrayam / vartulaṃ cintayevdyoma bhutaśuddhirudāhṛtā

Translation

พึงภาวนาถึงห้วงอากาศดุจท้องฟ้าเป็นวงกลม แผ่กว้างถึงสิบหกล้านโกฏิและสูงยี่สิบห้า; การภาวนานี้เรียกว่า “ภูตศุทธิ” คือการชำระธาตุทั้งหลาย।

Word by Word

• ṣoḍaśakoṭivistīrṇam: expanded to sixteen crores (in extent)
• ṣoḍaśakoṭivistīrṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣoḍaśa + koṭi + vistīrṇa (प्रातिपदिक; vistīrṇa = √stṛ (धातु) क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) विशेषण; समासः—षोडशकोटि-परिमाणेन विस्तीर्णम् (तत्पुरुष)

• pañcaviṃśatikocchrayam: having a height of twenty-five
• pañcaviṃśatikocchrayam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañcaviṃśati + ucchraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—पञ्चविंशति-परिमाणः उच्छ्रयः यस्य (तत्पुरुष)

• vartulam: circular/round
• vartulam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vartula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• cintayet: one should contemplate
• cintayet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √cint (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ/imperative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• dyoma: the sky/space
• dyoma: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dyoman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन (कर्मपद)

• bhūtaśuddhiḥ: purification of the elements
• bhūtaśuddhiḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūta + śuddhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—भूतानां शुद्धिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• udāhṛtā: is declared/said
• udāhṛtā: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-√āhṛ (धातु) क्त-प्रत्यय
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) — ‘कथिता/उच्यते’ अर्थे

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhūtaśuddhi through visualization of ākāśa (space) as an immense, ordered field.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa–apavāda tendency: refining identification from gross elements toward subtle witness-consciousness.

Application: Use structured visualization (extent/height/circularity) to stabilize attention, then contemplate elemental dissolution/purification before mantra or deity-dhyāna.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: inner yogic/mandala space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.23 (bhūtaśuddhi/nyāsa-dhyāna sequence, surrounding verses)

FAQs

What is the importance of bhūtaśuddhi in Garuda Purana?

This verse defines bhūtaśuddhi as a specific inner visualization—meditating on vast, sky-like space—used to purify the practitioner’s elemental constitution before higher practices.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing purification of the elements and subtle constitution, it supports the broader Garuḍa Purāṇa theme that the subtle body’s condition (purity/impurity) shapes post-death experience and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before prayer, japa, or śrāddha-related observances, spend a short time visualizing expansive, clear space (vyoma) to steady attention and cultivate inner purity and calm.