Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

एकद्वारश्चतुश्चक्रो वनमालाविभूषितः / स्वर्णरेखासमायुक्तो गोष्पदेन विराजितः

Transliteration

ekadvāraścatuścakro vanamālāvibhūṣitaḥ / svarṇarekhāsamāyukto goṣpadena virājitaḥ

Translation

Es hat ein einziges Tor und vier Räder; es ist mit einer Girlande aus Waldblüten geschmückt, mit goldenen Linien gezeichnet und leuchtet mit einem Zeichen, das dem Abdruck eines Kuhhufs gleicht.

Word by Word

• एकद्वारः: having one gate/door
• एकद्वारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (एकं द्वारं यस्य)

• चतुःचक्रः: having four wheels/discs
• चतुःचक्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः (चत्वारि चक्राणि यस्य)

• वनमाला-विभूषितः: adorned with a forest-garland
• वनमाला-विभूषितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वनमाला (प्रातिपदिक) + विभूषित (कृदन्त; √भूष् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (वनमालया विभूषितः)

• स्वर्णरेखा-समायुक्तः: joined/marked with a golden line
• स्वर्णरेखा-समायुक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + रेखा (प्रातिपदिक) + समायुक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु, क्त; सम्-आ-उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (स्वर्णरेखया समायुक्तः)

• गोष्पदेन: by/with a cow’s footprint mark
• गोष्पदेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोष्पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गोः पदम्)

• विराजितः: shining, resplendent
• विराजितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विराजित (कृदन्त; √राज् धातु, क्त; वि-उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः (past passive participle)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Contemplation of Viṣṇu’s auspicious marks (lakṣaṇa) as a means of protection and recollection.

Vedantic Theme: Saguṇa-upāsanā leading the mind toward śānti and steadiness (citta-ekāgratā).

Application: Use the described features as a dhyāna/nyāsa cue while reciting protective verses; keep attention on auspicious signs rather than fear.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.45.27-30 (protective invocations and enumerations of forms/vyūhas)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of the ‘one gate, four wheels’ description in the Garuda Purana?

It functions as a symbolic identifier of a divine/otherworldly conveyance or structure in the afterlife narrative—emphasizing order, design, and recognition marks rather than an ordinary earthly object.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By describing distinctive features of an otherworldly conveyance/realm, the verse supports the text’s broader depiction of the soul’s post-death passage as guided and structured, not random—moving through defined stations and authorities.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat death-related teachings as reminders of accountability and disciplined living—maintain dharma, reduce harmful actions, and keep daily conduct ‘well-marked’ by truthfulness and restraint.