Shloka 23

Nakṣatra-Devatā Enumeration and Muhūrta Rules for Travel, Rites, and Yogas

Devanagari script

पार्श्वेषु यानि कर्माणि कुर्यादेतेषु तान्यपि / रोहिण्यार्द्रां तथा पुष्या धनिष्ठा चोत्तरात्रयम्

Transliteration

pārśveṣu yāni karmāṇi kuryādeteṣu tānyapi / rohiṇyārdrāṃ tathā puṣyā dhaniṣṭhā cottarātrayam

Translation

凡被规定为辅行、助缘之仪轨者，亦当于这些星宿中施行：罗希尼（Rohiṇī）、阿尔陀罗（Ārdrā）、补湿耶（Puṣyā）、达尼湿吒（Dhaniṣṭhā），以及三“北方宿”（三Uttarā）。

Word by Word

• पार्श्वेषु: in the sides/flanks
• पार्श्वेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), सप्तमी (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• यानि: which (things)
• यानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कर्माणि: actions/works
• कर्माणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कुर्यात्: should do
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• एतेषु: in these (nakṣatras)
• एतेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine/Generic), सप्तमी (Locative/7th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• तानि: those (same)
• तानि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle: also/even)

• रोहिणी: Rohiṇī (nakṣatra)
• रोहिणी: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोहिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• आर्द्राम्: Ārdrā (nakṣatra)
• आर्द्राम्: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आर्द्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular) (पाठानुसार; सूची-प्रयोगे प्रथमा अपेक्षिता)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Samuccaya/Anvaya (समुच्चय/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: likewise)

• पुष्या: Puṣyā (Puṣya nakṣatra)
• पुष्या: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• धनिष्ठा: Dhaniṣṭhā (nakṣatra)
• धनिष्ठा: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनिष्ठा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक (conjunction)

• उत्तरात्रयम्: the three Uttaras (three nakṣatras)
• उत्तरात्रयम्: Vishaya/Enumeration (विषय/उल्लेख)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (Singular); द्विगु: उत्तराणि त्रयाणि (the three Uttaras: Uttaraphalgunī, Uttarāṣāḍhā, Uttarabhādrapadā)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Not only primary rites but also ancillary actions should be performed as prescribed, extending dharmic precision to details.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana as carefulness (apramāda): wholeness in practice reflects inner order

Application: When performing ceremonies, include supporting steps (preparations, purifications, offerings) and align them with the same disciplined schedule.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/astrological setting (nakshatra roster)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.59 (lists of nakshatras and corresponding karmas; aṅga/upa-karmāṇi notion)

Characters & Entities

• Rohiṇī
• Ārdrā
• Puṣyā
• Dhaniṣṭhā
• Uttarā Phālgunī
• Uttarāṣāḍhā
• Uttarā Bhādrapadā

FAQs

What is the importance of nakshatras in Garuda Purana ritual timing?

This verse highlights specific nakṣatras as suitable times to perform not only the main rite but also its ancillary observances, indicating that timing (muhūrta) supports the efficacy and dharmic correctness of ritual action.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct performance of prescribed rites and their supporting observances, it reflects the Purāṇic view that disciplined dharma and proper saṁskāra/ritual order help maintain spiritual merit and right conduct that ultimately shapes post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When planning traditional rites (vrata, pūjā, saṁskāra, or śrāddha-related preparations), consult a competent pañcāṅga and priest to align both the main act and its supporting steps with appropriate nakṣatras, keeping the intent (śraddhā) and ethical conduct central.