Shloka 25

Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva

Devanagari script

अग्नीशरक्षो वायव्ये मध्ये पूर्वादितन्त्रकम् / इन्द्राद्यांश्च यजेच्चण्डं तस्मै निर्माल्यमर्पयेत्

Transliteration

agnīśarakṣo vāyavye madhye pūrvāditantrakam / indrādyāṃśca yajeccaṇḍaṃ tasmai nirmālyamarpayet

Translation

于西北方（vāyavya）当礼拜阿耆尼（Agni）、伊沙（Īśa）及护持之众（Rakṣas）。于中央，依所规定之仪轨，礼拜自东方起诸神（pūrvādi）。亦当礼拜因陀罗等诸天，继而礼拜旃陀（Caṇḍa）；并向彼奉献尼尔玛利亚（nirmālya），即已加持的圣余供品。

Word by Word

• अग्नि: Agni
• अग्नि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समुच्चित-देवतानाम् प्रथमाङ्ग

• ईश: Īśa (Śiva)
• ईश: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; देवतानाम्

• रक्षः: Rakṣas (protective/spirits)
• रक्षः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन (रक्षः = रक्षः/रक्षः-रूपम्); देवता/भूतगण-सूचक

• वायव्ये: in the north-west (vāyavya direction)
• वायव्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; देश/दिक्-निर्देश (locative)

• मध्ये: in the middle
• मध्ये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• पूर्वादितन्त्रकम्: the arrangement/system beginning with the east (etc.)
• पूर्वादितन्त्रकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + तन्त्रक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; आदि-तत्पुरुषः (पूर्वादि = east etc.; तेषां तन्त्रकम्)

• इन्द्राद्यान्: Indra and the others
• इन्द्राद्यान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), बहुवचन; आदि-समास (इन्द्रादि = Indra etc.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• यजेत्: should worship/offer sacrifice
• यजेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √यज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; विधि (should worship/sacrifice)

• चण्डम्: Caṇḍa (a fierce deity/aspect)
• चण्डम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म (देवता-विशेष)

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4), एकवचन; सम्प्रदान (dative)

• निर्माल्यम्: remnants/garland-offerings (nirmālya)
• निर्माल्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्माल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म

• अर्पयेत्: should offer
• अर्पयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्प् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; विधि (should offer)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, ritual-ācāra context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritual order includes honoring both auspicious deities and protective/fierce guardians in their proper stations; remnants (nirmālya) are handled with prescribed respect.

Vedantic Theme: Cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) mirrored in ritual space; harmonizing forces through regulated worship.

Application: If following a mandala-based pūjā, keep directional placements consistent; treat nirmālya as consecrated—offer/dispense it only as instructed, not casually.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: directional mandala/altar layout

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring concern with protective rites and correct handling of consecrated remnants (general)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Isha (Shiva)
• Rakshas (guardian spirits)
• Indra
• Chanda

FAQs

What is the importance of directional worship (dik-puja) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that worship is arranged by quarters and the centre, indicating an ordered ritual mandala where specific deities and guardians are invoked to protect and complete the rite.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana practices around rites and protection?

By prescribing worship of Agni, Īśa, Indra and protective beings by direction, it emphasizes ritual safeguarding—invoking divine and guardian forces so the ceremony proceeds without obstacles.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If performing pūjā, keep offerings orderly and intentional: honor the main deity, acknowledge protective directions/guardians as per one’s tradition, and treat nirmālya as sacred remnants rather than ordinary waste.