Shloka 17

Vāstu-pūjā, Vāstu-maṇḍala Deities, Site Computations, and Doorway/Tree Prescriptions

Devanagari script

अभ्यागतालयं रम्यसशय्यासनापदुकम् / तोयाग्निदीपसद्भृत्यैर्युक्तं दक्षिणतो भवेत्

Transliteration

abhyāgatālayaṃ ramyasaśayyāsanāpadukam / toyāgnidīpasadbhṛtyairyuktaṃ dakṣiṇato bhavet

Translation

Về phía Nam nên có nhà đón khách trang nhã, bày sẵn giường êm, chỗ ngồi và dép, lại đầy đủ nước, lửa, đèn và những người hầu tận tâm.

Word by Word

• अभ्यागतालयम्: guest-house; lodging for guests
• अभ्यागतालयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यागत + आलय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अभ्यागतानाम् आलयः)

• रम्य: pleasant, beautiful
• रम्य: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अभ्यागतालयम् इति)

• सशय्या: with beds
• सशय्या: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + शय्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (सहित-भावः: शय्यया सह)

• आसन: seats
• आसन: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समुच्चित-उपकरणार्थे (शय्या-आसन-आदि)

• अपदुकम्: with footwear/sandals
• अपदुकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + पदुका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (पदुकाभिः सह)

• तोय: water
• तोय: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण), बहुवचन; समाहार-तृतीया (तोय-आदि-युक्तम्)

• अग्नि: fire
• अग्नि: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समुच्चयार्थे

• दीप: lamp
• दीप: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दीप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समुच्चयार्थे

• सद्भृत्यैः: good attendants/servants
• सद्भृत्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् + भृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (सन्तः भृत्याः)

• युक्तम्: provided with; furnished
• युक्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (अभ्यागतालयम्)

• दक्षिणतः: to the south; on the southern side
• दक्षिणतः: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययम्; दिशावाचक-अव्यय (adverb of direction)

• भवेत्: should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Atithi-satkāra and orderly provision (water, fire, lamp, attendants) as dharmic conduct that sustains auspiciousness.

Vedantic Theme: Sevā as purification of antaḥkaraṇa; honoring the guest as a manifestation of Nārāyaṇa (atithi-nārāyaṇa-bhāva).

Application: Maintain a dedicated, clean guest space with basic comforts and safety essentials (water, light, warmth), and train household/ashrama staff in courteous service.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: architectural zone (guest-house)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.46.18-21 (continuation of Viṣṇu-āśrama/vāstu arrangement)

FAQs

What is the importance of atithi-sevā (serving guests) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats hospitality as a dharmic obligation: a house should maintain a proper, well-equipped space for guests, reflecting purity, generosity, and right conduct.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings beyond afterlife topics?

Kanda 1 emphasizes daily dharma and ritual conduct; here, the text instructs practical household arrangements—beds, seating, water, light, and attendants—as part of righteous living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a clean, welcoming area for visitors and ensure basic comforts—water, lighting, seating, and respectful assistance—treating hospitality as a spiritual discipline.