Shloka 8

Mṛtyvaṣṭaka of Mārkaṇḍeya: Refuge in Viṣṇu and the Withdrawal of Death

Devanagari script

प्रसन्ने पुण्डरीकाक्षे नृसिंहे नास्तिदुर्लभम्

Transliteration

prasanne puṇḍarīkākṣe nṛsiṃhe nāstidurlabham

Translation

Wenn Puṇḍarīkākṣa—Herr Narasiṁha mit lotusgleichen Augen—gnädig gestimmt ist, bleibt nichts unerreichbar.

Word by Word

• प्रसन्ने: when (he is) pleased
• प्रसन्ने: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; प्र + √सद्/सद्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी/अधिकरणे—‘प्रसन्ने (सति)’

• पुण्डरीकाक्षे: in/when the lotus-eyed (Lord)
• पुण्डरीकाक्षे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुण्डरीक + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—‘पुण्डरीकं इव अक्षिणी यस्य’ (lotus-eyed)

• नृसिंहे: in Narasiṃha
• नृसिंहे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृ + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—‘नरः च सिंहः च इव’ (man-lion)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation particle)

• अस्ति: there is
• अस्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अस् (अस्/भूवाचक)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• दुर्लभम्: anything difficult to obtain
• दुर्लभम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर् + लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘दुर्लभ’ इति विशेष्य-रूपेण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (as the teaching voice in the Garuda–Vishnu dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When the Lord is pleased, all goals—worldly and transcendent—become attainable; divine grace is the supreme facilitator.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-prasāda as the ultimate cause behind siddhi; bhakti as direct means (sākṣāt-upāya).

Application: Prioritize devotion, humility, and ethical living aimed at pleasing the Lord; interpret ‘attainable’ as including inner virtues (peace, courage) not only external boons.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Nṛsiṃha and Viṣṇu-nāma praises; stotra efficacy passages; Themes of prasāda granting protection from fear and death

Characters & Entities

• Narasimha
• Vishnu (Puṇḍarīkākṣa)

FAQs

What is the importance of Lord Narasiṁha being 'prasanna' (pleased) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that divine grace is the decisive factor—when Narasiṁha is pleased, even what seems impossible (durlabha) becomes achievable, including protection and spiritual success.

How does this verse relate to fear, death, or afterlife concerns discussed in the Garuda Purana?

The Garuda Purana often addresses anxiety about suffering and post-death consequences; this line highlights bhakti and the Lord’s favor as a supreme refuge that overcomes obstacles that otherwise appear insurmountable.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate devotion and ethical living with remembrance of Narasiṁha/Vishnu—seeking inner sincerity and divine grace rather than relying only on personal effort when facing major fears and obstacles.