Shloka 146

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

राहुः केतुर्ग्रहो ग्राहो(९२०) गजेन्द्रमुखमेलकः / ग्राहस्य विनिहन्ता च ग्रामी रक्षकस्तथा

Transliteration

rāhuḥ keturgraho grāho(920) gajendramukhamelakaḥ / grāhasya vinihantā ca grāmī rakṣakastathā

Translation

هو راهو (Rāhu) وكيتو (Ketu)، والغْرَهَ (graha) الذي يُحدِث الكسوف؛ وهو الغْرَاهَ (grāha) الآخذُ القابض؛ وهو مِلاكا (Melaka) ذو الوجه الفيلّي. وهو مُهلكُ الغْرَاهَ، وهو أيضًا حامي القرية وحارسُها—أسماءٌ تُستحضَر للوقاية.

Word by Word

• राहुः: Rāhu
• राहुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• केतुः: Ketu
• केतुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• ग्रहः: seizer; planet
• ग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• ग्राहः: crocodile; seizer
• ग्राहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• गजेन्द्रमुखमेलकः: Gajendramukhamelaka (a name)
• गजेन्द्रमुखमेलकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गजेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक) + मेलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (गजेन्द्रस्य मुखम्; तस्य मेलकः/सम्बन्धी) पारम्परिक-नाम; Nominative singular

• ग्राहस्य: of the crocodile (grāha)
• ग्राहस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• विनिहन्ता: slayer; destroyer
• विनिहन्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि+नि+हन् (धातु) → विनिहन्तृ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्तृवाचक कृदन्त (तृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; agent noun; Nominative singular

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

• ग्रामी: villager; one belonging to a village
• ग्रामी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; इन्-प्रातिपदिक; Nominative singular

• रक्षकः: protector
• रक्षकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक; likewise

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is sovereign over graha-afflictions and seizing forces; refuge in Viṣṇu transforms fear and mitigates harmful influences.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as controller of cosmic order (ṛta) and of perceived planetary/daivika afflictions; surrender (śaraṇāgati) as antidote to anxiety.

Application: Use nāma-smaraṇa as a stabilizing practice during fear, illness, or ‘bad timing’; pair with ethical living and community care rather than fatalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: settlement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (protective nāma cluster: graha/grāha, destroyer, guardian)

Characters & Entities

• Rahu
• Ketu
• Graha
• Grāha
• Gajendra
• Melaka
• Rakṣaka (guardian)

FAQs

What is the importance of Rahu–Ketu and grāha references in the Garuda Purana?

This verse groups powerful “seizing” forces (graha/grāha) and their counter-forces as protective names, reflecting the text’s concern with warding off harmful influences through remembrance/recitation.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on suffering and affliction?

By naming afflicting forces (graha/grāha) alongside a “destroyer of the grāha” and a “protector,” it frames misfortune as something that can be countered through dharmic protection practices and divine safeguarding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to combine spiritual discipline (prayer/recitation, ethical living) with protective intentions—especially when facing fear, recurring obstacles, or perceived negative influences.