Shloka 47

Pūjādi-kathana — Gaṅgā Vratas, Tenfold Worship, Stotra, and Mokṣa on the Riverbank

Devanagari script

गंगायाः प्रतिमां कृत्वा वक्ष्यमाणस्वरूपिणीम् । पद्मस्वस्तिकचिह्नस्य संस्थितस्य तथोपरि ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

gaṃgāyāḥ pratimāṃ kṛtvā vakṣyamāṇasvarūpiṇīm | padmasvastikacihnasya saṃsthitasya tathopari || 47 ||

Translation

เมื่อสร้างรูปเคารพของพระแม่คงคาตามลักษณะที่จะกล่าวต่อไปแล้ว พึงประดิษฐานไว้เหนือเครื่องหมายดอกบัวและสวัสดิกะที่จัดตั้งไว้

Word by Word

• गङ्गायाः: of the Ganga
• गङ्गायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), एकवचन

• प्रतिमाम्: an image/idol
• प्रतिमाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made
• कृत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), धातु: कृ; पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having made)

• वक्ष्यमाणस्वरूपिणीम्: having the form that will be described
• वक्ष्यमाणस्वरूपिणीम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वक्ष्यमाण (कृदन्त, √वच्) + स्वरूपिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः: ‘वक्ष्यमाणं स्वरूपं यस्याः सा’ (whose form is to be described); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (प्रतिमाम्)

• पद्मस्वस्तिकचिह्नस्य: of the mark(s) of lotus and svastika
• पद्मस्वस्तिकचिह्नस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वस्तिक (प्रातिपदिक) + चिह्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहार-द्वन्द्व (पद्मं च स्वस्तिकं च—तयोः चिह्नम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• संस्थितस्य: that is placed/positioned
• संस्थितस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संस्था (धातु: √स्था with सम्-उपसर्ग) → संस्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle) ‘संस्थित’ = placed/standing; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; सम्बन्धः (with चिह्नस्य)

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चय (thus/also)

• उपरि: above/upon
• उपरि: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (adverb/postposition: above/upon)

Speaker

Sage Narada (teaching ritual procedure in Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It frames Gaṅgā-worship as a structured sacred installation (pratiṣṭhā/vidhi), where the icon is placed upon auspicious symbols (padma and svastika), emphasizing purity, auspiciousness, and the tirtha’s sanctifying power.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

Bhakti here is expressed through reverent, rule-guided worship—creating and positioning Gaṅgā’s image as prescribed—showing devotion as attentive service (sevā) and honoring divine presence through ritual order.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application and sacred iconography (aligned with Kalpa/ritual procedure) are highlighted—how symbols like the lotus and svastika are used as auspicious supports in formal worship settings.