Shloka 19

Prāsāda-Lakṣaṇa: Temple Proportions, Śikhara Ratios, Liṅga–Pīṭha Measures, and Auspicious Ground-Plans

Devanagari script

इत्थं कृतेन मानेन बाह्यभागविनिर्गतम् / नेमिः पादेन विस्तीर्णा प्रासादस्य समन्ततः

Transliteration

itthaṃ kṛtena mānena bāhyabhāgavinirgatam / nemiḥ pādena vistīrṇā prāsādasya samantataḥ

Translation

یوں مقررہ پیمائش کے مطابق پرساد کا بیرونی حصہ باہر کی طرف نکلا؛ اور عمارت کے گرداگرد نیمی (طواف گاہ کی کنگری) ایک پاد کے برابر پھیلا دی گئی۔

Word by Word

• इत्थम्: thus, in this manner
• इत्थम्: Kriya-visheshaṇa (Adverbial modifier/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• कृतेन: by what is made/done
• कृतेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• मानेन: by measure, by measurement
• मानेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• बाह्यभागविनिर्गतम्: gone out from the outer part
• बाह्यभागविनिर्गतम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाह्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भाग (प्रातिपदिक) + विनिर्गत (वि-निर्-गम् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष) — ‘बाह्यभागात् विनिर्गतम्’

• नेमिः: the rim/circumference (nemi)
• नेमिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेमि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• पादेन: by a foot (unit)
• पादेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• विस्तीर्णा: expanded, spread out
• विस्तीर्णा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्तीर्ण (वि-स्तृ धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त

• प्रासादस्य: of the palace/temple
• प्रासादस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रासाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• समन्ततः: on all sides, all around
• समन्ततः: Desha-adhikarana (Locative sense/देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: समन्ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual-architectural correctness (māna) as a form of dharma sustaining sacred order.

Vedantic Theme: Rta/dharma as harmonizing principle; outer form supporting inner sanctity.

Application: When designing or renovating a shrine, maintain consistent measurements for projections and circumambulatory margins to preserve symmetry and functional pradakṣiṇā space.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/architectural site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.47.20-23 (continued prāsāda-māna and yoni-types)

FAQs

What is the importance of measurements and structure descriptions in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that the text gives precise, concrete descriptions—using standard measures—to depict the realms and constructions described in the afterlife narrative.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it contributes to the detailed portrayal of the post-death domains the soul may encounter, emphasizing that these realms are described as orderly and structured.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages discipline and clarity: just as sacred descriptions follow measure and order, one can apply carefulness and integrity in duties, rituals, and ethical living.