Shloka 17

Maṅgalācaraṇa, the Sages’ Inquiry, and Hari as Supreme with an Avatāra-Outline

Devanagari script

नरनारायणो भूत्वा तुर्ये तेपे तपो हरिः / धर्मसं रक्षणार्थाय पूजितः स सुरासुरैः

Transliteration

naranārāyaṇo bhūtvā turye tepe tapo hariḥ / dharmasaṃ rakṣaṇārthāya pūjitaḥ sa surāsuraiḥ

Translation

In der Gestalt von Nara und Nārāyaṇa vollzog Hari im vierten Zustand strenge Askese; zum Schutz des Dharma wurde er von Devas wie auch von Asuras verehrt.

Word by Word

• नरनारायणः: Nara-Nārāyaṇa
• नरनारायणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक) + नारायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (नरश्च नारायणश्च) एकवचन-समाहार/एकत्वबोध

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); अर्थ: having become

• तुर्ये: in the fourth (state/age)
• तुर्ये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; स्थान/अवस्था-बोधक

• तेपे: performed austerity
• तेपे: Kriya (Main action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (परोक्षभूत/Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हरिः: Hari (Viṣṇu)
• हरिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• धर्मसम्: dharma (text shows 'dharmasaṃ')
• धर्मसम्: Karma/Upapada relation (uncertain)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + सम् (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पाठभेद/सन्धि-संशय: सम्भाव्यं 'धर्मसंरक्षणार्थाय' इति (धर्मस्य संरक्षणार्थाय)

• रक्षणार्थाय: for the purpose of protection
• रक्षणार्थाय: Sampradana (Purpose/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक; √रक्ष्) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (रक्षणस्य अर्थः) = purpose

• पूजितः: worshipped/honoured
• पूजितः: Karta (as predicate adjective to 'saḥ')
• Type: Verb
• Root: पूज् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• सुरासुरैः: by gods and demons
• सुरासुरैः: Karana/Agent-in-passive (Instrumental/तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + असुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व (सुराश्च असुराश्च)

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing Lord Vishnu/Hari in the opening narrative (Vishnu–Garuda dialogue frame begins around this context).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine incarnation undertakes tapas not for lack but as līlā to uphold Dharma; austerity as a stabilizing force for cosmic order.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara’s līlā and avatāra-kārya; dharma as expression of ṛta/order; tapas as inner mastery supporting sattva.

Application: Undertake disciplined practice (tapas/niyama) to protect ethical order in one’s sphere—family, community, and inner life.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: āśrama / Himalayan sacred site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring praise of Hari as dharma-protector and refuge; avatāra enumerations in opening chapters (recensional variations)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Nara-Nārāyaṇa
• Devas
• Asuras
• Dharma

FAQs

What is the importance of Nara-Nārāyaṇa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Vishnu’s manifestation as Nara-Nārāyaṇa specifically to uphold and protect Dharma through tapas (austerity), establishing Dharma-rakṣa as a central Purāṇic theme.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames Dharma as the guiding principle: the soul’s welfare (and later afterlife outcomes described in the Garuda Purana) depends on alignment with Dharma, which the Lord safeguards.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize dharmic conduct and disciplined practice (self-restraint, truthfulness, ethical living), viewing tapas as a means to protect and strengthen Dharma in one’s life.