Shloka 23

Śālagrāma–Sudarśana-Vyūha Nirūpaṇa, Tīrtha-Saṅgraha, Samvatsara-Nāma, and Mantra-Rakṣā

Devanagari script

मृत्युञ्जयो गणो लक्ष्मी रोचनाद्यैस्तु लेखितः / भूर्जे तु धारिताः कण्ठे बाहौ चेति जयादिदाः

Transliteration

mṛtyuñjayo gaṇo lakṣmī rocanādyaistu lekhitaḥ / bhūrje tu dhāritāḥ kaṇṭhe bāhau ceti jayādidāḥ

Translation

Schutzformeln wie „Mṛtyuñjaya“, „Gaṇa“ und „Lakṣmī“ sollen mit rocanā und ähnlichen heiligen Pigmenten eingeschrieben werden; auf Birkenrinde geschrieben, trägt man sie an der Kehle oder am Arm—so verleihen sie Sieg und verwandte Wohltaten.

Word by Word

• मृत्युञ्जयः: Mṛtyuñjaya (conqueror of death)
• मृत्युञ्जयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत्युञ्जय (प्रातिपदिक; मृत्युम् + जय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मृत्योः जयः = मृत्युञ्जयः)

• गणः: group/gaṇa
• गणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• लक्ष्मीः: Lakṣmī
• लक्ष्मीः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• रोचनाद्यैः: with rocanā and the like (materials)
• रोचनाद्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोचना + आदि (प्रातिपदिक; रोचनादि)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (रोचना-आदि = रोचनादि)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); विरोध/विशेषार्थक

• लेखितः: is written/inscribed
• लेखितः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लिख् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगे ‘written’

• भूर्जे: on birch-bark
• भूर्जे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूर्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• तु: and/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• धारिताः: are worn/held
• धारिताः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगे ‘worn/held’

• कण्ठे: on the neck
• कण्ठे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• बाहौ: on the arm
• बाहौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

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

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative/marker)

• जयादिदाः: (the mantras/gaṇas) beginning with ‘Jaya’
• जयादिदाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय + आदि + द (प्रातिपदिक; जयादिद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (जय-आदि = जयादि)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra as protective dharmic aid when properly inscribed and worn.

Vedantic Theme: Ishvara-anugraha mediated through nama/mantra and niyama (right method).

Application: Prepare a birch-bark talisman inscribed with approved mantras using consecrated pigment; wear at throat/arm for protection in travel, disputes, and undertakings.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Uttara/Preta sections): general raksha-mantra and Vishnu-nama protections (theme-level parallel); Garuda Purana: gem/yantra/raksha discussions in Jyotisha-related chapters (section-level parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Lakshmi
• Mṛtyuñjaya

FAQs

What is the importance of writing mantras on bhūrja (birch-bark) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents bhūrja as a traditional medium for inscribing protective formulas, meant to be worn on the body for tangible spiritual protection and auspicious results.

How does this verse relate to protection during vulnerable times such as illness or fear of death?

By prescribing Mṛtyuñjaya and related protective formulas to be worn on the neck or arm, the verse frames mantra-inscription as a practical ritual safeguard against danger and misfortune.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If one follows a devotional practice, keep mantra-recitation central and treat any talismanic practice as secondary—done with purity, faith, and ethical living rather than superstition.