Shloka 17

Tithi-Vrata Vidhāna: Śikhī-vrata (Pratipadā), Tṛtīyā Devī/Śrīdhara rites, Gaṇeśa Caturthī Mantra-Nyāsa, and Nāga Pañcamī

Devanagari script

अमोघोल्कायैकदन्ताय त्रिपुरान्तकरूपिणे / ॐ श्याम (व) दन्तविकरालास्याहवेपाय वै नमः

Transliteration

amogholkāyaikadantāya tripurāntakarūpiṇe / oṃ śyāma (va) dantavikarālāsyāhavepāya vai namaḥ

Translation

Ehrerbietung dem, der das unfehlbare Meteorgeschoss (Amo-ghol-kā) schleudert; dem Einzahnigen Herrn (Ekadanta); dem, dessen Gestalt der Zerstörer von Tripura ist. Oṁ—Verehrung dem Dunkelfarbigen (Śyāma), mit furchterregenden Zähnen und schrecklichem Rachen, dem Beschützer in der Schlacht.

Word by Word

• अमोघोल्काय: unto Amogholkā (unfailing ulkā; name)
• अमोघोल्काय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमोघ + उल्का (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—अमोघ-उल्का (कर्मधारय: ‘अमोघा उल्का’)

• एकदन्ताय: to the one-tusked one
• एकदन्ताय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक + दन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—एक-दन्त (तत्पुरुष: ‘one-tusked’)

• त्रिपुरान्तकरूपिणे: to him whose form is (like) Tripurāntaka
• त्रिपुरान्तकरूपिणे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिपुर + अन्तक + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—त्रिपुर-अन्तक-रूपिन् (तत्पुरुष: ‘having the form of the destroyer of Tripura’)

• ॐ: Oṃ
• ॐ: Mantra (मन्त्र-पद)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (प्रणव/अव्यय)
• Form: प्रणवः, अव्यय

• श्याम: dark/black-hued
• श्याम: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (पाठान्तर-सम्भाव्य; विशेषण)

• दन्तविकरालास्याहवेपाय: to (the one) named with ‘tusked, terrifying-mouthed, invoked…’ (epithet)
• दन्तविकरालास्याहवेपाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दन्त + विकराल + आस्य + आह्वय + प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः (नामरूप): ‘दन्त-विकराल-आस्य-आह्वय-प’ (पाठदोष/दुर्लभ-नाम)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/उपपद-अव्यय (particle: indeed)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Mantra (मन्त्र-पद)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक; अव्ययवत्)
• Form: नमस्-शब्दः, प्रायः अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (salutation particle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuḍa, within a hymn/mantra section)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotional surrender to a fierce guardian aspect that annihilates obstacles and hostile forces; remembrance as protection.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as both śānta and ugra: the same divine power removes avidyā/antarāya; fear is transmuted into reliance on the sacred.

Application: When facing conflict or inner resistance, invoke the protective form with steady breath and clear intention; channel ‘vīra’ energy into disciplined action rather than aggression.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: battlefield-imagery within ritual visualization

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.129 (protective invocations; gaṇa/gaṇapati context)

Characters & Entities

• Tripurāntaka (Śiva)
• Ekadanta (Gaṇeśa epithet)

FAQs

What is the importance of protective mantras in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a protective invocation—saluting fierce, battle-guarding divine aspects—used to remove obstacles and secure spiritual and worldly protection.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes taking refuge in divine protection and disciplined recitation, which the Garuda Purana presents as supportive practices for dharma and fearlessness in transitional states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Recite with clarity and reverence as a protective prayer before travel, important undertakings, or worship—pairing devotion with ethical conduct (dharma) for steadiness and courage.