Shloka 6

Śrīnivāsa at Svāmipuṣkariṇī: Darśana, Stotra, the Secret Veṅkaṭeśa Mantra, and the Meaning of “Vyaṅkaṭeśa”

Devanagari script

मृगोत्थमदगन्धेन सुरभीकृतदिङ्मुखम् / पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षं कंबुग्रीवं महाभुजम्

Transliteration

mṛgotthamadagandhena surabhīkṛtadiṅmukham / puṇḍarīkaviśālākṣaṃ kaṃbugrīvaṃ mahābhujam

Translation

معطَّرٌ بعِطرِ المسكِ المولودِ من الظبي، يُطيِّبُ الجهاتِ كلَّها؛ واسعُ العينين كاللوتس، عنقُه كالصَّدَفةِ المقدَّسة، وذراعاه عظيمتان قويّتان.

Word by Word

• मृगोत्थमदगन्धेन: with the scent of musk (arising from deer)
• मृगोत्थमदगन्धेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग + उत्थ + मद + गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन (Masculine, Instrumental, Singular); समासः—मृगोत्थः (मृगात् उत्थः) + मदगन्धः (मदस्य गन्धः)

• सुरभीकृतदिङ्मुखम्: having the quarters’ faces (directions) made fragrant
• सुरभीकृतदिङ्मुखम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुरभीकृत + दिक् + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Accusative, Singular); समासः—दिङ्मुखम् (दिशां मुखम्) + सुरभीकृत (सुरभी + कृ (धातु) क्त)

• पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षम्: with large lotus-like eyes
• पुण्डरीकविशालाक्षम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्डरीक + विशाल + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Accusative, Singular); समासः—पुण्डरीक-विशाल-अक्षम् (lotus-like large-eyed)

• कंबुग्रीवम्: conch-like necked
• कंबुग्रीवम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कम्बु + ग्रीवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• महाभुजम्: great-armed, with mighty arms
• महाभुजम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + भुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Darśana of Viṣṇu as an auspicious, transformative encounter; contemplation of divine attributes (guṇa-smaraṇa).

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-saguṇa-upāsanā leading the mind toward śuddhi and steadiness (citta-prasāda).

Application: Use the described features as a dhyāna-krama: visualize lotus eyes, conch-like neck, mighty arms; cultivate devotion through sensory sanctification (gandha as purity cue).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shringara

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.25.7-10 (continued description and stuti to Viṣṇu)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing Vishnu’s form in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses traditional auspicious marks—lotus-like eyes, conch-like neck, mighty arms—to fix the mind on a sacred, dharmic vision of the Lord, strengthening devotion and clarity in spiritual practice.

How does this verse connect to Garuda–Vishnu dialogue themes in the Garuda Purana?

In the Garuda Purana, Vishnu often teaches Garuda through vivid, archetypal imagery; here the divine form is portrayed as universally auspicious, setting a devotional tone for the instruction that follows.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use these attributes as a brief dhyāna (meditation) cue—visualize lotus-eyes, conch-neck, mighty arms—to cultivate steadiness, reverence, and ethical resolve (dharma) in daily life.