Shloka 19

Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas

Devanagari script

देवागारस्य खननं निधानखननं तथा / गणितं ज्योतिषारम्भं खनिबिलप्रवेशनम्

Transliteration

devāgārasya khananaṃ nidhānakhananaṃ tathā / gaṇitaṃ jyotiṣārambhaṃ khanibilapraveśanam

Translation

การขุดในบริเวณเทวสถาน การขุดหานิธาน (ทรัพย์ที่ฝังไว้); การเริ่มศึกษาคณิตและการเริ่มโหราศาสตร์; และการเข้าเหมืองหรือโพรงใต้ดิน—กิจเหล่านี้ในที่นี้ถูกระบุว่าเป็นสิ่งควรหลีกเลี่ยง/น่าติเตียน।

Word by Word

• देवागारस्य: of a temple
• देवागारस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + आगार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; ‘देवानाम् आगारम्’ (temple)

• खननम्: digging/excavation
• खननम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खन् (धातु) + अन (कृत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; भाववाचक (act of digging)

• निधानखननम्: digging for a deposit/treasure
• निधानखननम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधान (प्रातिपदिक) + खनन (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘निधानस्य खननम्’ (digging for treasure/deposit)

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अन्वयार्थक

• गणितम्: calculation/mathematics
• गणितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गणित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• ज्योतिषारम्भम्: commencement of astrology/astronomy
• ज्योतिषारम्भम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिष (प्रातिपदिक) + आरम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘ज्योतिषस्य आरम्भः’ (beginning of astrology)

• खनिबिलप्रवेशनम्: entering mines/caves
• खनिबिलप्रवेशनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खनि (प्रातिपदिक) + बिल (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘खनौ/खनिषु बिलेषु प्रवेशः’ (entering mines/caves)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Certain undertakings—digging in temple precincts, treasure excavation, initiating astrology/mathematics in this context, entering mines/pits—are to be avoided or treated as censurable/inauspicious under the given muhūrta framework.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma includes restraint (niyama) and reverence; actions that disturb sacred space or invite greed/fear can intensify tamas and bind karma.

Application: Avoid intrusive excavation in sacred precincts; be wary of treasure-seeking motives; approach underground work with strict safety and ethical oversight; begin scholarly pursuits under proper guidance and auspicious preparation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: temple site and underground spaces

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59 (prohibitions/avoidances tied to nakṣatra/muhūrta and types of actions)

Characters & Entities

• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding temple digging in the Garuda Purana?

This verse groups excavation in sacred precincts with other risky or dharma-sensitive acts, implying such actions violate sanctity, invite impurity, or lead to harmful consequences when done without proper authority and ritual safeguards.

How does this verse relate to karma and consequences?

By listing specific undertakings—treasure-digging, certain commencements of technical arts, and entering mines/pits—the text signals that actions tied to greed, disturbance of sacred space, or dangerous subterranean contact can generate negative karmic outcomes in the moral framework being taught.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat sacred spaces with strict respect, avoid exploitative “quick gain” pursuits (like illicit treasure hunting), and approach specialized practices (including astrology) with ethical intent, qualified guidance, and responsibility rather than superstition or greed.