Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चभिर्बहुभिर्वाथ कुर्यात्पाद्यार्घ्यमेव च / मुद्रिकाभिस्तथा वस्त्रैर्गन्धमाल्यानुलेपनैः

Transliteration

pañcabhirbahubhirvātha kuryātpādyārghyameva ca / mudrikābhistathā vastrairgandhamālyānulepanaiḥ

Translation

پانچ (اُپچاروں) سے یا بہت سے اُپچاروں سے پادْی اور اَرغْی کی نذر ضرور کرے۔ نیز انگوٹھیاں، لباس، خوشبو، ہار اور انولےپن (چندن وغیرہ) بھی پیش کرے॥

Word by Word

• पञ्चभिः: with five (items)
• पञ्चभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Numeral adjective; Instrumental plural

• बहुभिः: with many (items)
• बहुभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: त्रिलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• वा: or
• वा: Vikalpa (Alternative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (Sequencing)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रमबोधक (then)

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

• पाद्य: water for washing the feet
• पाद्य: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular (object)

• अर्घ्यम्: honor-offering (arghya)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (only/indeed)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक (and)

• मुद्रिकाभिः: with rings/seals
• मुद्रिकाभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

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

• वस्त्रैः: with garments/cloths
• वस्त्रैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; Instrumental plural

• गन्धमाल्यानुलेपनैः: with perfumes, garlands, and unguents
• गन्धमाल्यानुलेपनैः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + माल्य + अनुलेपन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (perfumes, garlands, and unguents); Instrumental plural

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotion is expressed through respectful service (upacāra) and generous offering, scaled to capacity (five or many).

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-arpana-buddhi: offering actions and possessions as worship, cultivating humility and non-possessiveness.

Application: Offer simple essentials if limited (minimum set), or expand offerings when able; prioritize sincerity, cleanliness, and respectful sequence (pādya then arghya, then adornments).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (upacāra sequence around mandapa/vedi rites)

FAQs

What is the importance of pādya and arghya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes honoring the recipient (deity, revered person, or ritual focus) through respectful water-offerings—pādya for the feet and arghya as a formal reception—done with a minimum set or expanded offerings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader ritual framework: correct offerings and observances are presented as dharmic supports that aid auspicious outcomes connected with post-death rites and spiritual merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform worship or ancestral/death-related observances with sincerity—offer at least the essentials (water-offerings) and, if possible, additional respectful items like cloth, fragrance, and garlands.