Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

दंष्ट्राकरालमत्युग्रं त्रिनेत्रं शशिशेखरम् / भैरवन्तु स्मरेत्सिद्ध्यै गरुडं सर्वकर्मसु

Transliteration

daṃṣṭrākarālamatyugraṃ trinetraṃ śaśiśekharam / bhairavantu smaretsiddhyai garuḍaṃ sarvakarmasu

Translation

ذو أنيابٍ مفزعة وهيئةٍ بالغة الشدّة—ثلاثيّ العينين ومتوجٌ بالقمر—ليُذكَر بهايرافا لنيل التمام والنجاح، وليُذكَر غارودا في كل عمل.

Word by Word

• दंष्ट्राकरालम्: with terrifying fangs
• दंष्ट्राकरालम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दंष्ट्रा + कराल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular masculine; समासः: दंष्ट्राभिः करालः

• अति-उग्रम्: exceedingly fierce
• अति-उग्रम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति (अव्यय/उपसर्ग) + उग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; (कर्मणि विशेषणम्) accusative singular masculine; अति- उपसर्गेण तीव्रार्थः

• त्रिनेत्रम्: three-eyed
• त्रिनेत्रम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine; द्विगुः: त्रीणि नेत्राणि यस्य

• शशिशेखरम्: moon-crested
• शशिशेखरम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शशि + शेखर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine; समासः: शशिः शेखरः यस्य (चन्द्रशेखरः)

• भैरवम्: Bhairava
• भैरवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine

• तु: indeed, but
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; निपातः/अवधारणार्थकः (particle, contrast/emphasis)

• स्मरेत्: should remember/meditate upon
• स्मरेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; parasmaipada; 3rd person singular optative

• सिद्ध्यै: for success/accomplishment
• सिद्ध्यै: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गः, चतुर्थी-विभक्तिः (सम्प्रदान), एकवचनम्; dative singular feminine

• गरुडम्: Garuḍa
• गरुडम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; accusative singular masculine

• सर्वकर्मसु: in all actions/rites
• सर्वकर्मसु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (अधिकरण), बहुवचनम्; locative plural neuter; समासः: सर्वाणि कर्माणि

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda / as part of the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Smaraṇa as efficacious practice: remembering Bhairava for siddhi and Garuḍa for success/protection in all actions.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā strengthens saṅkalpa and purifies fear; īśvara-smṛti integrates action with the sacred (karma-yoga orientation).

Application: Before tasks, recite/remember Bhairava and Garuḍa; use as protective sankalpa, especially where obstacles/poison/fear are present; cultivate steadiness rather than anxiety.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections praising Garuḍa as viṣa-nāśaka and nāga-bhaya-hara; protective mantras/dhyānas in adjacent verses

Characters & Entities

• Bhairava
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of remembering Bhairava in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that smaraṇa (remembrance/meditation) of Bhairava—described as fierce, three-eyed, and moon-crowned—is undertaken “for siddhi,” i.e., to remove obstacles and attain success in spiritual or ritual endeavors.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader ritual guidance?

It presents a practical instruction: remembrance of specific divine powers (Bhairava for accomplishment and Garuḍa for all actions) as a supportive discipline alongside one’s karmas, reflecting the Purana’s emphasis on protective and efficacy-oriented ritual conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before beginning important duties—especially religious rites—cultivate focused remembrance of protective divinities (Bhairava and Garuḍa) to encourage steadiness, reduce fear, and act with disciplined intent.