Shloka 8

Durgā Pūjā, 108-Nāma Japa, and Protective Homa in Preta-Kalpa Observance

Devanagari script

अष्टोत्तरपदानां हि माला मन्त्रमयी जपः / एकैक्रपदमष्टसहस्रधा त्रिमधुराक्ततिलाष्टसहस्रहामेः

Transliteration

aṣṭottarapadānāṃ hi mālā mantramayī japaḥ / ekaikrapadamaṣṭasahasradhā trimadhurāktatilāṣṭasahasrahāmeḥ

Translation

由一百零八个词组成的圣名花鬘，本身即是充满真言之持诵。每一词当诵八千遍，并以三种甘甜之物调和芝麻，作八千次供献。

Word by Word

• aṣṭottara-padānām: of the 108 words
• aṣṭottara-padānām: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭottara (प्रातिपदिक; ‘108’) + pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अष्टोत्तराणि पदानि)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis/causal particle)

• mālā: garland/rosary
• mālā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mālā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• mantra-mayī: consisting of mantra(s)
• mantra-mayī: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक) + maya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मन्त्रैः मयी = मन्त्ररूपा)

• japaḥ: japa (repetition)
• japaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: japa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• eka-eka-padam: each word (one by one)
• eka-eka-padam: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eka (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + eka (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावः (वितरणार्थः: ‘एकैकम्’), द्वितीया-एकवचन-रूपेण अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः

• aṣṭa-sahasra-dhā: eight-thousandfold / 8000 times
• aṣṭa-sahasra-dhā: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aṣṭa (संख्या) + sahasra (प्रातिपदिक) + dhā (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (धाप्रत्ययान्त; ‘-fold’), द्विगु-आधार (अष्टसहस्र-धाः = 8000 times)

• tri-madhura-ākta-tila-aṣṭa-sahasra-hāmeḥ: (connected with) 8000 tilas smeared with three sweets (reading uncertain at end)
• tri-madhura-ākta-tila-aṣṭa-sahasra-hāmeḥ: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या) + madhura (प्रातिपदिक) + ākta (कृदन्त; अञ्ज्/अक्त ‘smeared’) + tila (प्रातिपदिक) + aṣṭa-sahasra (संख्या-समास) + hāma (प्रातिपदिक; uncertain reading)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन (पाठानुसार); बहु-तत्पुरुष-समासः; ‘हामेः’ पदपाठः/अर्थः अनिश्चितः (पाठभेद सम्भवः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nāma-japa as mantra: the 108-name mālā is itself mantra-maya; repetition and offerings (tilāhuti with madhura-traya) intensify devotional efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti-yoga through nāma as a direct means to purify mind and align intention; karma-yoga flavor via offering (homa) without attachment to mere results.

Application: Adopt structured practice: recite 108 names as japa; if doing offerings, use sesame with ‘three sweets’ (commonly interpreted as guḍa/jaggery, madhu/honey, ghṛta/ghee) in measured counts under guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual_space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.38.6-7 (mantra and its context)

FAQs

What is the importance of 108-name (aṣṭottara) japa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats the 108-name garland as inherently mantra-filled, making it a complete japa practice that generates ritual and spiritual merit.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana rituals connected with death rites?

By prescribing sesame offerings (tila) and structured repetition counts, it aligns with purification and appeasement-oriented rites commonly used in śrāddha and related ceremonies described in the Garuda Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

One can adopt disciplined, counted repetition of sacred names and pair it with simple offering practices (where appropriate and guided) to cultivate focus, devotion, and ritual purity.