Shloka 97
An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body
Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā
ब्रह्मा विष्णुश्च रुद्रश्च श्रीर्हुताशस्तथैव च / मण्डले चोपतिष्ठन्ति तस्मात्कुर्वीत मण्डलम्
brahmā viṣṇuśca rudraśca śrīrhutāśastathaiva ca / maṇḍale copatiṣṭhanti tasmātkurvīta maṇḍalam
برہما، وِشنو، رُدر، شری (لکشمی) اور ہُتاش (اگنی)—یہ سب منڈل میں جلوہ فرما ہوتے ہیں؛ اس لیے منڈل تیار کر کے قائم کرنا چاہیے۔
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Beneficiary: dying person and ritual participants
Timing: Before/at commencement of the relevant rite (space consecration)
Concept: Ritual space-making (maṇḍala) invites divine guardianship and aligns the act with cosmic order.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha mediated through upāsanā and ritual order; the cosmos mirrored in consecrated space.
Application: Prepare a clean maṇḍala (diagram/space) before rites; invoke Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Śrī, and Agni with appropriate mantras and offerings.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: ritual maṇḍala space
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.96 (kratu-like snāna; ritualization); Garuda Purana 2.32.93 (recitation and end-of-life supports)
FAQs
This verse states that key deities (Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Rudra, Śrī, and Agni) are considered present in the maṇḍala, making it a necessary sacred base for properly performed rites.
In the Preta Kanda context, correct ritual setup supports offerings and prayers; establishing a maṇḍala is presented as a prerequisite because it ritually “hosts” divine presence, strengthening śrāddha/preta-kriyā observances.
When performing any traditional rite (especially ancestral or funeral-related), prioritize a clean, properly prepared sacred space and intentional ritual structure, reflecting reverence, order, and dharmic discipline.