Shloka 24

Śālagrāma-lakṣaṇa: Viṣṇu Stotra, Vyūha/Avatāra Identification, and Temple-Fruition

Devanagari script

(वैकुण्ठो मणिरत्नाभ एकचक्राम्बुजो ऽसितः / (मत्स्यो) दीर्घो ऽम्बुजाकारो द्वाररेखश्च पातु वः

Transliteration

(vaikuṇṭho maṇiratnābha ekacakrāmbujo 'sitaḥ / (matsyo) dīrgho 'mbujākāro dvārarekhaśca pātu vaḥ

Translation

Möge Vaikuṇṭha, strahlend wie ein Edeljuwel; das dunkle Zeichen des Lotus mit einem einzigen Rad; das lange, lotusförmige Zeichen Matsyas; und das Zeichen der Türlinie euch beschützen.

Word by Word

• वैकुण्ठः: Vaikuṇṭha
• वैकुण्ठः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैकुण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम

• मणिरत्नाभः: having the luster of gems/jewels
• मणिरत्नाभः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मणिरत्नाभ (प्रातिपदिक; मणि + रत्न + आभ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• एकचक्राम्बुजः: having a single wheel-lotus mark
• एकचक्राम्बुजः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकचक्राम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक; एक + चक्र + अम्बुज)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• असितः: dark, blackish
• असितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मत्स्यः: Matsya (Fish incarnation)
• मत्स्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत्स्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (avatāra)

• दीर्घः: long
• दीर्घः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अम्बुजाकारः: lotus-shaped
• अम्बुजाकारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अम्बुजाकार (प्रातिपदिक; अम्बुज + आकार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• द्वाररेखः: having a door-like line/mark
• द्वाररेखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वाररेख (प्रातिपदिक; द्वार + रेख)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

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

• पातु: may (he) protect
• पातु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative/benedictive), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वः: you (plural): of you / for you
• वः: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/चतुर्थी (6th/Genitive or 4th/Dative), बहुवचन; एन्क्लिटिक सर्वनाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra; protective/mark-oriented passage)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Protection and purification through remembrance of Vaikuṇṭha and avatāra/emblem signs (Matsya, cakra, padma).

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as a stabilizing upāsanā that aligns the mind with the ‘parama-pada’ ideal (Vaikuṇṭha) and reduces saṃsāric fear.

Application: Daily visualization: ‘Vaikuṇṭha-radiance’ at the heart, cakra and lotus as guardians, Matsya as rescuer motif during crises (inner and outer).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial abode

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.45 (protective mark-litany continuing into Śālagrāma/Dvārakā salutation)

Characters & Entities

• Vaikuṇṭha
• Matsya

FAQs

What is the importance of protective marks/symbols in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats specific auspicious emblems (linked to Viṣṇu/vaikuṇṭha and Matsya) as protective forces, reflecting the Purana’s use of sacred signs for spiritual safeguarding.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing protection through Viṣṇu-associated symbols, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that divine remembrance and sacred aids help one overcome fear and obstacles in transitional states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep a disciplined practice of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (remembrance) and respectful use of traditional auspicious symbols/marks as reminders of dharma and inner protection, rather than mere ornamentation.