Shloka 158

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

भरतो जनको जन्यः सर्वाकारवि वर्जितः / निराकारो निर्निमित्तो निरातङ्को निराश्रयः (१००८)

Transliteration

bharato janako janyaḥ sarvākāravi varjitaḥ / nirākāro nirnimitto nirātaṅko nirāśrayaḥ (1008)

Translation

Er ist der Träger, der Erzeuger und auch das Hervorgebrachte—und doch ist Er frei von allen Formen. Formlos, ursachlos, furcht- und leidfrei, ohne Stütze und ohne Zuflucht, weilt Er.

Word by Word

• bharataḥ: Bharata (name)
• bharataḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bharata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• janakaḥ: Janaka (name)
• janakaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• janyaḥ: born/produced; to be generated
• janyaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: janya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• sarvākāra-vivarjitaḥ: devoid of all forms
• sarvākāra-vivarjitaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक) + vivarjita (कृदन्त; वि-√वृज्/√वर्ज्, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—षष्ठी/तत्पुरुष (सर्वाकारैः विवर्जितः)

• nirākāraḥ: formless
• nirākāraḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir- + ākāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• nirnimittaḥ: without cause/occasion
• nirnimittaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir- + nimitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• nirātaṅkaḥ: free from fear/affliction
• nirātaṅkaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir- + ātaṅka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• nirāśrayaḥ: without support; independent
• nirāśrayaḥ: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nir- + āśraya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nirguna Brahman/Paramatman: simultaneously immanent as support and transcendent as formless, causeless, independent.

Vedantic Theme: Nirguna-brahma-lakshana; adhyaropa-apavada style negation; sarvadharatva with nirakara-tva.

Application: Contemplate the Divine beyond attributes: negate form/causality/fear in meditation; cultivate inner independence (anashraya) and equanimity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.16.2 (Hari as all-pervading, unborn, imperishable); Garuda Purana Vishnu-dhyana sections (adjacent adhyayas on meditation and names)

FAQs

What is the importance of the formless (nirākāra) teaching in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes the Supreme as beyond all physical or conceptual forms, guiding devotees toward liberation-oriented understanding rather than limiting the Divine to a single appearance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By presenting the Supreme as causeless and independent, it points the soul toward detachment from conditioned identities and reliance on the ultimate reality as the basis for liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate inner steadiness: perform duties without clinging to outcomes, and remember the Divine as beyond fear and dependence—supporting ethical living and spiritual focus.