Shloka 50
Śrāddha-vidhi for Pitṛs: Invitations, Purity, Offerings, and Conduct
मण्डलं चतुरस्त्रं वा दक्षिणावनतं शुभम् / त्रिरुल्लिखेत् तस्य मध्यं दर्भेणैकेन चैव हि
maṇḍalaṃ caturastraṃ vā dakṣiṇāvanataṃ śubham / trirullikhet tasya madhyaṃ darbheṇaikena caiva hi
مبارک اور جنوب کی طرف ہلکا سا ڈھلوان والا گول منڈل یا چوکور منڈل بنا کر، ایک ہی دربھ گھاس سے اس کے بیچ کو تین بار نشان زد کرے۔
Sūta (narrating the Kurma Purana’s ritual instructions as received in the tradition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
Indirectly: by prescribing precise centering of the maṇḍala, it ritualizes the principle of “madhya” (the center), a symbolic pointer to the inner center where awareness is stabilized—an outer act that supports inward recollection of the Self.
It highlights preparatory discipline (bahiraṅga-sādhana): creating an auspicious, correctly oriented sacred space and marking the center—supports dhāraṇā (steady attention) and ritual purity, which the Kurma tradition treats as a foundation for higher contemplative practice.
The verse is procedural rather than doctrinal, but it reflects the Purana’s synthesis: shared śāstric ritual order (dharma and mantra-rite) is treated as a common ground across Shaiva and Vaishnava worship, preparing the practitioner for unified devotion to Īśvara.