Shloka 9

Gāyatrī-nyāsa, Pāda-bheda, and Purificatory Power in Sādhana

Devanagari script

श्वेतं विद्युत्प्रभं तारं कृष्णं रक्तं क्रमेण तत् / श्यामं शुक्लं तथा पीतं श्वेतं वै पद्मरागवत्

Transliteration

śvetaṃ vidyutprabhaṃ tāraṃ kṛṣṇaṃ raktaṃ krameṇa tat / śyāmaṃ śuklaṃ tathā pītaṃ śvetaṃ vai padmarāgavat

Translation

ক্ৰমে—শ্বেত, বিদ্যুৎপ্ৰভ, তাৰকাৰ দৰে দীপ্ত, কৃষ্ণ আৰু ৰক্ত বৰ্ণ দেখা যায়। পুনৰ—শ্যাম, শুক্ল, পীত আৰু শ্বেত—পদ্মৰাগ (ৰুবি) সদৃশ কান্তিত উজ্জ্বল।

Word by Word

• श्वेतम्: white
• श्वेतम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• विद्युत्प्रभम्: having lightning-like radiance
• विद्युत्प्रभम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्युत् + प्रभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विद्युतः प्रभा यस्य/विद्युत्सदृशी प्रभा (determinative)

• तारम्: bright/clear
• तारम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• कृष्णम्: black
• कृष्णम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• रक्तम्: red
• रक्तम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• क्रमेण: in order/ क्रमशः
• क्रमेण: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (adverbial instrumental)

• तत्: that
• तत्: सम्बन्ध/निर्देश (Deictic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; संदर्भसूचक

• श्यामम्: dark
• श्यामम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• शुक्लम्: white/bright
• शुक्लम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• तथा: thus/likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/also')

• पीतम्: yellow
• पीतम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• श्वेतम्: white
• श्वेतम्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: सम्बन्ध (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle)

• पद्मरागवत्: like a ruby (padmarāga)
• पद्मरागवत्: कर्म-विशेषण (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्मराग + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोगः; वत्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive/comparative), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; 'पद्मराग इव'

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (narrating to Garuḍa, Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ordered perception (krama) of mantra’s tejas through color and light metaphors (lightning, star, ruby).

Vedantic Theme: Refinement of antaḥkaraṇa via focused visualization; from gross color to subtle radiance (tejas) as a step toward inner quiet.

Application: Use the stated order as a guided visualization during recitation; note shifts in attention without distraction, returning to mantra.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: inner-vision field (mantra visualization)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.35.8–10 (continuation of color-forms)

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa
• Viṣṇu

FAQs

What is the importance of these color-sequences in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse highlights ordered perceptible variations—colors and luminosities—used to describe subtle appearances in a structured way, indicating that such phenomena are not random but occur in a definite sequence.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey or subtle perception?

By emphasizing shifting radiance (white, lightning-like, star-bright, dark, red, etc.), the verse supports the Purāṇic theme that subtle realities can manifest with distinct visual qualities, which are understood through scriptural instruction rather than ordinary sense-certainty.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Maintain discernment: when encountering unusual experiences or ‘signs,’ interpret them with scriptural grounding, ethical discipline, and calm inquiry rather than fear or superstition.