Shloka 4

Devatā-Pratiṣṭhā: Maṇḍapa Construction, Dikpāla Worship, Kalaśa-Abhiṣeka, Nyāsa and Homa Procedures

Devanagari script

मन्त्रन्यासं गुरुः कृत्वा ततः कर्म समारभेत् / प्रासादस्याग्रतः कुर्यान्मण्डपं दशहस्तकम्

Transliteration

mantranyāsaṃ guruḥ kṛtvā tataḥ karma samārabhet / prāsādasyāgrataḥ kuryānmaṇḍapaṃ daśahastakam

Translation

Matapos isagawa ng guru ang mantra-nyāsa (paglalagay ng mga mantra), saka niya simulan ang gawain ng ritwal. Sa harap ng dambana ng templo, magtayo ng isang maṇḍapa na may sukat na sampung hasta.

Word by Word

• मन्त्रन्यासम्: the placement/nyāsa of mantras
• मन्त्रन्यासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + न्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘मन्त्राणां न्यासः’ इति; Accusative singular

• गुरुः: the guru
• गुरुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• कृत्वा: having performed
• कृत्वा: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययभाव (Gerund/Absolutive); ‘having done’

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Sequence)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• कर्म: the rite/ritual action
• कर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• समारभेत्: should begin
• समारभेत्: Kriyā (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आरभ् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should commence

• प्रासादस्य: of the temple/palace
• प्रासादस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• अग्रतः: in front (of)
• अग्रतः: Adhikaraṇa (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अग्रतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (in front)

• कुर्यात्: should construct
• कुर्यात्: Kriyā (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; should make

• मण्डपम्: a pavilion/maṇḍapa
• मण्डपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• दशहस्तकम्: ten cubits (hands) long
• दशहस्तकम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Measure qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + हस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (ten-hands in measure); Accusative singular qualifying मण्डपम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual efficacy requires prior consecration of the body/space through mantra-nyāsa, then orderly commencement of karmas in a properly prepared venue.

Vedantic Theme: Mantra as a vehicle for focusing consciousness; disciplined action (karma) performed with sanctified intention supports purification and devotion.

Application: Begin any major rite with preparatory sanctification (nyāsa/ācamanā/saṅkalpa); ensure the physical setting is prepared to specification before proceeding.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: temple precinct

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (mandapa/vedi measurements and preparations)

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Prasada (temple shrine)
• Mandapa

FAQs

What is the importance of mantra-nyāsa in Garuda Purana rituals?

This verse places mantra-nyāsa as the prerequisite that sanctifies the officiant and the rite, after which the main ritual work is properly begun.

What does this verse prescribe about constructing a maṇḍapa?

It instructs that a maṇḍapa (pavilion) should be made in front of the temple shrine, with a specified standard measure of ten hastas.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin any sacred undertaking with proper preparation and consecration under qualified guidance, and follow clear standards (measurements/procedure) rather than improvising.