Shloka 5

Viṣṇu-dhyāna: Saguṇa Iconography, Nirguṇa Framework, and the Vāsudeva Insight

Devanagari script

सहस्रादित्यतुल्येन ज्वालामालोग्ररूपिणा / चक्रेण चान्वितः शान्तो गदाहस्तः शुभाननः

Transliteration

sahasrādityatulyena jvālāmālograrūpiṇā / cakreṇa cānvitaḥ śānto gadāhastaḥ śubhānanaḥ

Translation

وهو مقرون بالقرص (تشاكرا) المتّقد، ذي هيئة مهيبة كإكليل من لهب، يلمع كألف شمس—ومع ذلك فهو ساكن مطمئن؛ بيده صولجان (غَدَا)، ووجهه مبارك.

Word by Word

• सहस्रादित्यतुल्येन: equal to a thousand suns
• सहस्रादित्यतुल्येन: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (संख्या/प्रातिपदिक) + आदित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण (रूपिणा)

• ज्वालामालोग्ररूपिणा: having a fierce form with a garland of flames
• ज्वालामालोग्ररूपिणा: Karana/Description (Instrumental of description/वर्णन-तृतीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वाला (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक) + उग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण (हरिः implied)

• चक्रेण: with the discus
• चक्रेण: Sahakarana (Accompaniment/सहकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (Conjunction/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात

• अन्वितः: endowed (with)
• अन्वितः: Predicate (State/अवस्था)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु + इ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त (Past Passive Participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• शान्तः: peaceful
• शान्तः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (हरिः)

• गदाहस्तः: having a mace in (his) hand
• गदाहस्तः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (हरिः)

• शुभाननः: with an auspicious face
• शुभाननः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (हरिः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Cakra with blazing flame-garland and solar radiance, yet the Lord remains śānta; gadā and auspicious face indicate protective grace.

Vedantic Theme: Union of transcendence (śānti) and immanence (śakti/aiśvarya); īśvara’s power operates without inner disturbance.

Application: Contemplate the cakra as cutting through inner vṛttis and harmful habits; hold the ‘serene amid intensity’ model for emotional regulation and ethical strength.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.92.4 (śaṅkha); Garuda Purana 1.92.6 (kirīṭa, padma)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (implied by cakra and gadā)

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu’s fiery radiance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Vishnu’s overwhelming divine power (radiant like a thousand suns) while affirming his inner serenity—signaling protective, dharmic authority rather than mere wrath.

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

By portraying Vishnu as both formidable and calm, the text frames ultimate refuge and protection as rooted in dharma—an assurance often invoked amid after-death narratives and fear of suffering.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steadiness and ethical conduct: the verse models power guided by calmness—encouraging self-control, righteous action, and remembrance of the divine as a source of protection.