Shloka 25

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

नागानां पतिरर्कस्य दक्षस्य पतिरेव च / सुहृदां च पतिश्चैव नृपाणां च पतिस्तथा

Transliteration

nāgānāṃ patirarkasya dakṣasya patireva ca / suhṛdāṃ ca patiścaiva nṛpāṇāṃ ca patistathā

Translation

Er ist der Herr der Nāgas; der Herr der Sonne (Arka); wahrlich der Herr Dakṣas; der Herr der Freunde und Wohlgesinnten; und ebenso der Herr der Könige.

Word by Word

• नागानाम्: of the Nāgas (serpents)
• नागानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• पतिः: lord
• पतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• अर्कस्य: of the Sun
• अर्कस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• दक्षस्य: of Dakṣa
• दक्षस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• पतिः: lord
• पतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis)

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

• सुहृदाम्: of friends; well-wishers
• सुहृदाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुहृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

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

• पतिः: lord
• पतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis)

• नृपाणाम्: of kings
• नृपाणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

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

• पतिः: lord
• पतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: All authorities—cosmic (Sun), ancestral/procreative (Dakṣa), subterranean (Nāgas), and political (kings)—derive legitimacy from the Supreme.

Vedantic Theme: Hierarchy of powers: devas and rulers function as instruments within Īśvara’s order; dharma is grounded in the transcendent.

Application: Respect rightful authority without idolizing it; cultivate loyal friendship and just governance as reflections of divine order.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: narratives where Nāgas and solar worship appear as subordinate to Vishnu; Garuda Purana: dharma and kingship passages emphasizing rajadharma under divine oversight

Characters & Entities

• Nāgas
• Arka (Surya)
• Dakṣa
• Nṛpas (kings)

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu’s universal lordship in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that Vishnu’s authority extends across cosmic beings (Nāgas), celestial powers (the Sun), progenitors (Dakṣa), social bonds (friends), and political rulers (kings), presenting him as the sustaining sovereign of all orders.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By portraying a single supreme lord over all realms and authorities, the verse frames the soul’s journey as ultimately governed by divine order; worldly and otherworldly powers function under that higher sovereignty.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate dharma by respecting rightful authority without idolizing it—recognize that power, friendship, and status are subordinate to a higher moral and spiritual order.