Shloka 108

Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa

Devanagari script

केशवाय नमः पूर्वे तथा नारायणाय च / माधवाय नमस्कुर्यान्नैरृत्ये चापि वायवे

Transliteration

keśavāya namaḥ pūrve tathā nārāyaṇāya ca / mādhavāya namaskuryānnairṛtye cāpi vāyave

Translation

مستقبِلًا الشرقَ، ينحني قائلًا: «نَمَه لكِيشَفا (Keśava)»، وكذلك: «نَمَه لنارايَنا (Nārāyaṇa)». وإلى جهة الجنوب الغربي وكذلك الشمال الغربي تُقدَّم التحيةُ الساجدةُ لمادهافا (Mādhava).

Word by Word

• केशवाय: to Keśava
• केशवाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; सम्प्रदान

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Kriya (क्रिया/elliptic)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत् निपात)
• Form: नमस्कारार्थक अव्यय (salutatory particle), ‘obeisance’

• पूर्वे: in the east
• पूर्वे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (direction)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (adverb), ‘likewise’

• नारायणाय: to Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; सम्प्रदान

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

• माधवाय: to Mādhava
• माधवाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माधव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; सम्प्रदान

• नमस्कुर्यात्: should bow
• नमस्कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् + कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• नैरृत्ये: in the southwest
• नैरृत्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैरृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण

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

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात, ‘also’

• वायवे: to Vāyu
• वायवे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; सम्प्रदान

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇu-nāma as directional nyāsa—placing the Lord’s names into space through reverent utterance.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa as upāsanā leading to citta-śuddhi; the one Nārāyaṇa pervades all directions (sarvavyāpitva).

Application: Use Keśava/Nārāyaṇa/Mādhava nāmas as brief mantras while orienting the body and attention before japa or pūjā.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space/mandala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.24.107 (directional salutations); Garuda Purana 3.24.109-111 (continuation of Viṣṇu-nāma mapping to directions)

Characters & Entities

• Keshava
• Narayana
• Madhava
• Nirriti
• Vayu

FAQs

What is the importance of directional salutations in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches a disciplined ritual practice of honoring specific Viṣṇu-nāmas while facing particular directions, emphasizing protection, order, and dharmic mindfulness in worship.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on protection and right conduct?

By prescribing remembrance of Viṣṇu through names like Keśava, Nārāyaṇa, and Mādhava, the verse aligns ritual action with devotion—an approach the Garuda Purana often presents as spiritually safeguarding and purifying.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

In daily prayer (or before rites), one may consciously face the directions and offer brief salutations to Viṣṇu-nāmas, cultivating steadiness, reverence, and ethical clarity.