Shloka 67
Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa
व्याप्तो हरिश्चेत्कथमत्र वै सखे न दृश्यते जलरूपी नृसिंहः / स एवमुक्तो दानवानां सुतैश्च तुष्टाव विष्णुं परमादरेण
vyāpto hariścetkathamatra vai sakhe na dṛśyate jalarūpī nṛsiṃhaḥ / sa evamukto dānavānāṃ sutaiśca tuṣṭāva viṣṇuṃ paramādareṇa
“যদি হরি সর্বব্যাপী হন, তবে হে সখা, এখানে জলরূপ নৃসিংহ কেন দেখা যায় না?” এ কথা শুনে সে দানবপুত্রদের সঙ্গে পরম ভক্তিতে বিষ্ণুর স্তব করল।
Narrator (Purāṇic narration describing the dialogue and ensuing praise of Vishnu)
Concept: Omnipresence of Hari is approached through questioning that culminates in praise (stuti) and receptivity to revelation.
Vedantic Theme: Antaryāmin (indwelling presence) and the limits of pratyakṣa (mere seeing) without grace/bhakti.
Application: Transform doubt into inquiry and prayer; use stotra/namaskāra as a means to invite clarity rather than cynicism.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.24.68-71 (manifestation in water; tīrtha effects; Nārasiṃha-tīrtha)
FAQs
This verse highlights the tension between Vishnu’s omnipresence and the fact that divine forms may not be perceptible to ordinary sight; it points to the Purāṇic idea that perception of the divine depends on eligibility, context, and grace.
Indirectly, it reinforces a key Garuda Purana principle: subtle realities are not always visible to gross senses. Just as a divine form may be unseen, the soul’s post-death journey and subtle-body experiences require scriptural guidance rather than mere sensory proof.
Cultivate reverence and disciplined practice (prayer, remembrance, ethical living) rather than demanding proof through immediate perception; the verse models turning doubt into devotion through sincere praise and humility.