Shloka 20

Vāstu-pūjā, Vāstu-maṇḍala Deities, Site Computations, and Doorway/Tree Prescriptions

Devanagari script

चतुः षष्टिपदो वास्तुः प्रासादादौ प्रपूजितः / मध्ये चतुष्पदो ब्रह्मा द्विप दास्त्वर्यमादयः

Transliteration

catuḥ ṣaṣṭipado vāstuḥ prāsādādau prapūjitaḥ / madhye catuṣpado brahmā dvipa dāstvaryamādayaḥ

Translation

محلات وغیرہ میں واستو کی پوجا چونسٹھ پدوں والے منڈل کے طور پر کی جاتی ہے۔ اس کے وسط کے چار پدوں میں برہما، اور دو پدوں کی تقسیموں میں آریما وغیرہ دیوتا مقرر ہیں۔

Word by Word

• चतुःषष्टिपदः: having sixty-four squares/steps
• चतुःषष्टिपदः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुः + षष्टि + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (चतुःषष्टिः पदानि यस्य)

• वास्तुः: the site/plot (vāstu)
• वास्तुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वास्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• प्रासादादौ: in a palace and the like
• प्रासादादौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रासाद + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-एकवचनरूपे अव्ययीभावप्रयोगः; ‘आदि’ सहितः स्थानवाचकः (in palace etc.)

• प्रपूजितः: well-worshipped; duly honored
• प्रपूजितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + पूज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वास्तुः)

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययम्; स्थानवाचक (locative adverb: in the middle)

• चतुष्पदः: four-squared/four-footed (four-part)
• चतुष्पदः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (चत्वारि पदानि यस्य)

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• द्विपदाः: two-footed; two-part
• द्विपदाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; द्विगु-समासः (द्वे पदे यस्य)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• अर्यम: Aryaman
• अर्यम: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्यमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; देवविशेषः

• आदयः: and others
• आदयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘आदि’ = and others

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Space is sacralized by recognizing divine presences in a structured maṇḍala; right order (ṛta-like) supports prosperity and spiritual steadiness.

Vedantic Theme: Microcosm–macrocosm correspondence: the dwelling as a body/cosmos; centering (Brahma-sthāna) mirrors inner centering of awareness.

Application: When building/renovating, preserve a clear ‘center’ (open, uncluttered core), and design with proportion, light, and functional zoning to support calm and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-architectural grid (64-pada maṇḍala)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.21 (placement of deities in parts like ears/śikhyā)

Characters & Entities

• Vāstu
• Brahmā
• Aryamā

FAQs

What is the importance of the 64-pada Vāstu-maṇḍala in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that for major structures like palaces, the site is ritually mapped and worshipped as a 64-square Vāstu-maṇḍala, establishing divine order and auspiciousness before construction or consecration.

How does this verse explain the arrangement of deities in the Vāstu-maṇḍala?

It specifies a central placement for Brahmā occupying a four-square core, while other deities such as Aryamā are assigned to two-square divisions, indicating a structured, deity-governed spatial grid.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing Vāstu-pūjā or planning sacred/important spaces, keep a clear, respected center (brahma-sthāna) and follow a consistent directional/deity layout to maintain ritual coherence and calm, uncluttered central space.