Shloka 101

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

आकाशेन विहीनश्च वायुना परिवर्जितः / अग्निना च विहीनश्च उदकेन विवर्जितः

Transliteration

ākāśena vihīnaśca vāyunā parivarjitaḥ / agninā ca vihīnaśca udakena vivarjitaḥ

Translation

Er ist des Raumes (ākāśa) beraubt und vom Wind (vāyu) abgeschnitten; ohne Feuer (agni) und auch ohne Wasser (udaka)—ohne den Halt dieser Elemente.

Word by Word

• आकाशेन: with/by ether (space)
• आकाशेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• विहीनः: devoid (of)
• विहीनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• वायुना: with/by air
• वायुना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• परिवर्जितः: completely deprived (of)
• परिवर्जितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि + वर्ज् (धातु) → परिवर्जित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अर्थः—सर्वथा वर्जित (completely excluded)

• अग्निना: with/by fire
• अग्निना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विहीनः: devoid (of)
• विहीनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• उदकेन: with/by water
• उदकेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• विवर्जितः: deprived (of)
• विवर्जितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + वर्ज् (धातु) → विवर्जित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, per the usual Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mahābhūta-viyoga: when ākāśa, vāyu, agni, and udaka no longer ‘support’ embodiment, the gross body cannot function—revealing its constructed nature.

Vedantic Theme: Pañcīkaraṇa-based body as transient; the self is not the elements; cultivate viveka (discrimination).

Application: Reflect on elemental composition to reduce fear of death; practice offering the elements back (bhūta-śuddhi contemplation) and live with simplicity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: elemental withdrawal and bodily dissolution (immediate sequence 1.15.101-1.15.102)

FAQs

What is the importance of the five elements (pancha mahabhuta) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that embodied life depends on the support of the elements; their withdrawal signifies a state beyond ordinary physical functioning, pointing to the transition from gross embodiment toward subtle existence.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By describing absence of space, air, fire, and water, the verse conveys a condition where the familiar elemental supports of bodily life are no longer operative—indicating a post-mortem transition in which the jīva is no longer sustained as in the living body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reflecting on the impermanence of the elemental body encourages detachment, ethical living (dharma), and timely performance of life-cycle duties and remembrance practices, rather than over-identifying with the physical form.