Shloka 41

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

तन्त्रोक्तपूजा दुर्लभा वै मुरारेर्नामग्रहो दुर्लभश्चव विष्णोः / सुवैष्णवानां पुजनं दुर्लभं हि सद्वैष्णवानां भाषणं दुर्लभं च

Transliteration

tantroktapūjā durlabhā vai murārernāmagraho durlabhaścava viṣṇoḥ / suvaiṣṇavānāṃ pujanaṃ durlabhaṃ hi sadvaiṣṇavānāṃ bhāṣaṇaṃ durlabhaṃ ca

Translation

إن عبادة مُراري (فيشنو) على ما ورد في التنترا نادرة؛ ونادرٌ كذلك حتى التمسك باسم فيشنو وذكره. ونادرٌ تكريمُ الفايشنفا الصادقين وعبادتُهم، ونادرٌ أيضًا الحديثُ مع الفايشنفا الأتقياء.

Word by Word

• tantra-ukta-pūjā: Tantra-prescribed worship
• tantra-ukta-pūjā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tantra + ukta (√vac, क्त) + pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; 'worship prescribed in the Tantras'

• durlabhā: rare
• durlabhā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with pūjā

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चयार्थक अव्यय)

• murāreḥ: of Murāri
• murāreḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: murāri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• nāma-grahaḥ: uttering the name
• nāma-grahaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman + graha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; 'taking/uttering the name'

• durlabhaḥ: rare
• durlabhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with nāma-grahaḥ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• eva: indeed/only
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (अवधारण अव्यय)

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu
• viṣṇoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• su-vaiṣṇavānām: of excellent Vaiṣṇavas
• su-vaiṣṇavānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su + vaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; su-vaiṣṇava = 'excellent Vaiṣṇavas'

• pūjanam: worship/honoring
• pūjanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjana (प्रातिपदिक; √pūj)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabham: rare
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with pūjanam

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (खलु/हेतु-अर्थे अव्यय)

• sat-vaiṣṇavānām: of true Vaiṣṇavas
• sat-vaiṣṇavānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat + vaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; 'of true Vaiṣṇavas'

• bhāṣaṇam: speaking/conversation
• bhāṣaṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक; √bhāṣ)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabham: rare
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with bhāṣaṇam

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Rarity of (1) tantra-prescribed worship of Murāri, (2) even uttering Viṣṇu’s name, (3) honoring true Vaiṣṇavas, and (4) meaningful conversation with them.

Vedantic Theme: nāma as accessible yet neglected means; saints as embodiments of dharma and conduits of grace; outer ritual and inner remembrance as complementary.

Application: Adopt daily nāma-japa; keep a simple, consistent pūjā; practice vaiṣṇava-sevā and seek edifying dialogue with realized devotees rather than idle talk.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19.39 (Hari-kathā, dīkṣā, satsanga); Garuda Purana 3.19.42 (śālagrāma, sadguru, sadgāyana)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Murari
• Vaishnavas

FAQs

What is the importance of chanting Vishnu’s name (nāma-graha) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that even taking Viṣṇu’s Name is rare and precious, implying it is a high-value spiritual practice that supports purification and devotion.

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

In the Preta Kanda context, inner spiritual support—bhakti, nāma-japa, and association with saintly devotees—is presented as difficult to obtain yet crucial preparation that strengthens one beyond mere external rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize daily nāma-japa of Viṣṇu, respectfully serve genuine devotees, and seek uplifting spiritual conversation (satsanga), treating these as rare opportunities for steady dharmic living.