Shloka 31

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

सूत्रग्रीवं रत्नगर्भं वस्त्रयुग्मेन वेष्टितम् / सर्वौषधीगन्धलिप्तं पूजयेत्कलशं गुरुः

sūtragrīvaṃ ratnagarbhaṃ vastrayugmena veṣṭitam / sarvauṣadhīgandhaliptaṃ pūjayetkalaśaṃ guruḥ

گرو اس کلش کی پوجا کرے جس کی گردن پر سوتَر بندھا ہو، جس کے اندر رتن رکھے ہوں، جو دو کپڑوں سے لپیٹا گیا ہو اور جو تمام اوشدھیوں کی خوشبو سے ملمّع ہو۔

सूत्रग्रीवम्having a thread-neck (thread tied at the neck)
सूत्रग्रीवम्:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootसूत्र + ग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सूत्रस्य ग्रीवा यस्य/यत्र)
रत्नगर्भम्containing gems
रत्नगर्भम्:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootरत्न + गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रत्नैः गर्भः/अन्तर्भावः)
वस्त्रयुग्मेनwith a pair of cloths
वस्त्रयुग्मेन:
Karana (Instrument/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootवस्त्र + युग्म (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; ‘with a pair of cloths’
वेष्टितम्wrapped
वेष्टितम्:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootवेष्ट् (धातु)
Formक्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः ‘wrapped’
सर्वौषधीगन्धलिप्तम्smeared with the fragrance of all herbs
सर्वौषधीगन्धलिप्तम्:
Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व + औषधी + गन्ध + लिप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: सर्वौषधीनां गन्धेन लिप्तम्
पूजयेत्should worship
पूजयेत्:
Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootपूज् (धातु)
Formविधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद
कलशम्the pot
कलशम्:
Karma (Object/कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootकलश (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन
गुरुःthe teacher/priest
गुरुः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootगुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, within ritual guidance context)

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: During kalaśa-pūjā prior to main offerings

Concept: Devotion is expressed through meticulous honoring of the deity’s seat (kalaśa) with purity, prosperity symbols, and life-giving herbs.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-upāsanā: the divine approached through sanctified forms; the many auspicious attributes point toward one sacred presence.

Application: Let devotion show in care for the ‘container’ of practice—cleanliness, beauty, and wholesome elements that uplift mind and body.

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Type: consecration vessel/ritual focal point

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.48 (kalaśa-lakṣaṇa and pūjā)

G
Guru (officiating priest)
K
Kalaśa (ritual vessel)

FAQs

This verse presents the kalaśa as a sanctified focal object of worship—prepared with thread, cloth, gems, and herbal fragrance—signifying purity, auspiciousness, and ritual completeness in post-death observances.

Indirectly: it emphasizes correct ritual preparation and worship performed by the officiant, which in Garuda Purana contexts supports orderly post-death rites believed to aid the departed through transitional stages.

If performing śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related ceremonies, follow traditional guidance under a qualified priest: keep ritual vessels clean, properly adorned, and consecrated with appropriate substances, prioritizing sincerity and procedural correctness.