Shloka 11

Dūrvāṣṭamī Vrata and Rohiṇī-Yukta Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī: Mantras, Arghya, and Viṣṇu-Nāma Salutations

Devanagari script

वासुदेवं हृषीकेशं माधवं मधुसूदनम् / वराहं पुण्डरीकाक्षं नृसिंहं दैत्यसूदनम्

Transliteration

vāsudevaṃ hṛṣīkeśaṃ mādhavaṃ madhusūdanam / varāhaṃ puṇḍarīkākṣaṃ nṛsiṃhaṃ daityasūdanam

Translation

Ich verneige mich vor Vāsudeva — Hṛṣīkeśa, Mādhava, Madhusūdana; vor Varāha, Puṇḍarīkākṣa, dem Lotosäugigen, und vor Narasiṃha, dem Bezwinger der Asuras.

Word by Word

• वासुदेवम्: Vāsudeva
• वासुदेवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• हृषीकेशम्: Hṛṣīkeśa (lord of senses)
• हृषीकेशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृषीक (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (हृषीकाणाम् ईशः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• माधवम्: Mādhava
• माधवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माधव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मधुसूदनम्: Madhusūdana (slayer of Madhu)
• मधुसूदनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + सूदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मधोः सूदनः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वराहम्: Varāha
• वराहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वराह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पुण्डरीकाक्षम्: Puṇḍarīkākṣa (lotus-eyed)
• पुण्डरीकाक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्डरीक (प्रातिपदिक) + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कर्मधारय (पुण्डरीकसदृशम् अक्षि यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• नृसिंहम्: Nṛsiṃha
• नृसिंहम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ (प्रातिपदिक) + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत्पुरुष (नरः सिंहः इव/नरसिंहः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• दैत्यसूदनम्: slayer of the demon(s)
• दैत्यसूदनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सूदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दैत्यस्य सूदनः), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nama-stuti as protective remembrance: the Lord as inner ruler (Hṛṣīkeśa), sustainer (Mādhava), destroyer of adharma (Madhusūdana), rescuer (Varāha), and fierce protector (Narasiṃha).

Vedantic Theme: One Brahman/Ishvara appearing as many functional forms for loka-saṅgraha; devotion stabilizes the mind and aligns it with dharma.

Application: Use these names in daily japa or during fear/instability; reflect on each epithet as a moral and psychological support (sense-control, courage, compassion).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: liturgical recitation context

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.131.12 (continuation of Vishnu-nama salutations)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Vāsudeva
• Hṛṣīkeśa
• Mādhava
• Madhusūdana
• Varāha
• Puṇḍarīkākṣa
• Narasiṃha
• Daityas

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Vishnu’s names in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a concentrated remembrance of Vishnu’s epithets and avatāras, used as a devotional and protective invocation—affirming the Lord as the remover of fear and destroyer of demonic forces.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the spiritual path through bhakti and remembrance (smaraṇa) of Vishnu—an inner refuge that supports purity of mind and steadiness, which Garuda Purana repeatedly treats as essential for auspicious transition and liberation-oriented living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use these names as a daily nāma-japa or prayer—especially during anxiety, grief, or major life transitions—to cultivate self-control (Hṛṣīkeśa), devotion (Mādhava), and courage (Narasiṃha).