Shloka 46
Explanation of the Sapiṇḍana Rite; Causes of Pretahood; Viṣṇu Worship and Preta-ghaṭa Dāna
पूर्वे तु श्रीधरं देवं दक्षिणे मधुसूदनम् / पश्चिमे वानमं देवमुत्तरे च गदाधरम्
pūrve tu śrīdharaṃ devaṃ dakṣiṇe madhusūdanam / paścime vānamaṃ devamuttare ca gadādharam
ทิศตะวันออกพึงตั้งพระศรีธร ทิศใต้พระมธุสูทนะ ทิศตะวันตกพระวามนะ และทิศเหนือพระคทาธร เพื่อการอัญเชิญสถิต.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Dik-bandhana through Viṣṇu-nāma: invoking specific forms in each direction to sacralize space and align worship with cosmic order (ṛta).
Vedantic Theme: Unity-in-manifold: one Lord expressed through many names and functions; ordered worship steadies the mind and dissolves fragmentation.
Application: During pūjā, consciously orient the altar and invoke directional guardianship via Viṣṇu names; use this as a mindfulness map for attention in space.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual_space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: pūjā-vidhi passages using directional placements and multiple Viṣṇu epithets; Garuda Purana: protective rites where nāma-nyāsa and dik-nyāsa are implied
FAQs
This verse teaches a protective, orderly arrangement of Vishnu’s names/forms by direction, used to sanctify the ritual space and invoke divine guardianship during rites connected with death and the afterlife.
By establishing Vishnu’s protective presence in all directions, the ritual environment is made spiritually secure—supporting the departed and the family in performing prescribed observances without obstructive influences.
During shraddha, prayer, or remembrance rituals, one may mentally invoke these Vishnu forms by direction to cultivate focus, reverence, and a protective devotional framework.