Shloka 47

Mantra-Nyāsa and Elemental Maṇḍalas: Nāga Invocation and Garuḍa–Bhairava Dhyāna for Protection

Devanagari script

ज्वालामालाभिरुद्दीप्तं आब्रह्मभुवनान्तकम् / दशबाहुं चतुर्वक्त्रं पिङ्गाक्षं शूलपाणिनम्

Transliteration

jvālāmālābhiruddīptaṃ ābrahmabhuvanāntakam / daśabāhuṃ caturvaktraṃ piṅgākṣaṃ śūlapāṇinam

Translation

متّقدٌ بأكاليل من اللهيب، يملأ الوجود حتى حدود عالم براهما؛ ذو عشرة أذرع وأربعة وجوه، عيناه عسليّتان، وفي يده الرمح الثلاثي (التريشولا).

Word by Word

• ज्वालामालाभिः: with garlands/rows of flames
• ज्वालामालाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वाला + माला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (करण), बहुवचनम्; instrumental plural feminine; समासः: ज्वालानां माला

• उद्दीप्तम्: blazing, kindled
• उद्दीप्तम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद् + दीप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः (past passive participle used adjectivally), नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; accusative singular neuter

• आब्रह्मभुवनान्तकम्: reaching up to the end of Brahmā’s world
• आब्रह्मभुवनान्तकम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + ब्रह्म + भुवन + अन्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular neuter; अव्ययीभावः: आ + (ब्रह्मभुवनान्तक) = 'up to the end of Brahmā's world'

• दशबाहुम्: ten-armed
• दशबाहुम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular masculine; द्विगुः: दश बाहवः यस्य

• चतुर्वक्त्रम्: four-faced
• चतुर्वक्त्रम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + वक्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular masculine; द्विगुः: चत्वारि वक्त्राणि यस्य

• पिङ्गाक्षम्: brown/ tawny-eyed
• पिङ्गाक्षम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पिङ्ग + अक्षि/अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular masculine; कर्मधारयः: पिङ्गम् अक्षि यस्य

• शूलपाणिनम्: holding a trident
• शूलपाणिनम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शूल + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular masculine; समासः: शूलः पाणौ यस्य (शूलधारी)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhyāna through vivid iconography: the deity as a fiery, all-filling protector with multiple faces/arms—symbolizing omnidirectional power and mastery over forces.

Vedantic Theme: Saguṇa-upāsanā as a means to steadiness of mind (citta-ekāgratā) leading toward śānti and higher knowledge.

Application: Use as nyāsa-like visualization before undertakings: mentally place the flaming aura as a protective circumference; contemplate the many arms as capacities (śakti) guarding all directions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: loka-boundary/cosmic limit

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana protective/dhyāna sequences where iconographic details are enumerated for siddhi and rakṣā

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of this blazing, multi-armed form in the Garuda Purana?

It conveys overwhelming cosmic authority—an image meant to impress the soul with the vast, inescapable reach of divine law and the afterlife order described in the Purana.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

Such descriptions function as visionary markers in the narrative: the departed (or the listener) is made to understand that the post-death realm is governed by immense powers whose presence cannot be ignored.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Remembering the cosmic scope of dharma encourages restraint, truthfulness, and timely performance of rites for ancestors—living in a way that reduces fear and confusion at death.