Shloka 14
Nāmāṣṭottara-dviśata: Gaṇa–Chandas–Yati Catalogue and Mnemonic Coding
वसुवेदैश्च विरतिर्मुदितवदना त्वियम् / ननररैः समाख्याता नयना यस्तथा भवेत्
vasuvedaiśca viratirmuditavadanā tviyam / nanararaiḥ samākhyātā nayanā yastathā bhavet
هذه القوّة ذات الوجه البهيج، المسماة Virati—الممدوحة في الويدا وبين الفاسو—تُعلَن أنها “Nayanā”، أي البصيرة الهادية؛ ومن صار كذلك (متحلّيًا بالكفّ والانضباط) بلغ تلك الحال حقًّا.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Virati (restraint/dispassion) as ‘Nayanā’—a guiding vision—leading to attainment of the stated state (spiritual steadiness).
Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya and śama as prerequisites for higher knowledge; inner restraint becomes the ‘eye’ that guides toward liberation-oriented living.
Application: Practice daily restraint (sense moderation, mindful speech, measured consumption); treat restraint as a positive, joyful discipline rather than deprivation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: inner landscape (ethical-psychological state)
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (broader) teachings on vairāgya and devotion as supports for liberation; immediate context 1.209 on prosodic ‘virati’ also resonates with ‘pause/rest’ in metre
FAQs
This verse elevates virati as a Veda-praised virtue that becomes a guiding ‘vision’ for a person, implying it protects and directs one toward a higher state through disciplined conduct.
By presenting restraint as a ‘nayanā’ (guide/vision), the verse suggests inner discipline functions like a spiritual guide that shapes one’s post-death trajectory by reducing sinful tendencies and strengthening dharmic merit.
Cultivate daily restraint—truthfulness, moderation, and avoidance of harmful acts—so the mind stays ‘joyful-faced’ and your choices become naturally aligned with dharma.