Shloka 26

Pretaśilā at Gayā: Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, Gadādhara’s Manifestation, and the Fruits of Śrāddha & Deity-Worship

Devanagari script

नागाष्टकं समभ्यर्च्य नागदष्टो विमुच्यते / ब्रह्माणं पूजयित्वा च ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

nāgāṣṭakaṃ samabhyarcya nāgadaṣṭo vimucyate / brahmāṇaṃ pūjayitvā ca brahmalokamavāpnuyāt

Translation

Wer das Nāgāṣṭaka ehrfürchtig verehrt (oder andächtig rezitiert), wird, selbst wenn er von einer Schlange gebissen wurde, von der Plage befreit. Und wer Brahmā verehrt, gelangt nach Brahmaloka, in die Welt Brahmās.

Word by Word

• नागाष्टकम्: the set of eight Nāgas
• नागाष्टकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक) + अष्टक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (अष्टौ नागाः/नागानां अष्टकम्)

• समभ्यर्च्य: having duly worshipped
• समभ्यर्च्य: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-अभि-√अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• नागदष्टः: one bitten by a snake
• नागदष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक) + दष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √दंश्/√दश्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (नागेन दष्टः)

• विमुच्यते: is released
• विमुच्यते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• ब्रह्माणम्: Brahmā
• ब्रह्माणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• पूजयित्वा: having worshipped
• पूजयित्वा: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

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

• ब्रह्मलोकम्: Brahmā’s world (Brahmaloka)
• ब्रह्मलोकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः लोकः)

• अवाप्नुयात्: may attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-√आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Protective stotra-recitation can counter immediate peril; worship of Brahmā yields a meritorious post-mortem destination (Brahmaloka).

Vedantic Theme: Hierarchy of lokas as karmaphala; protective mantric power (śabda-śakti) within dharmic cosmos; yet Brahmaloka remains within saṃsāra (not final mokṣa).

Application: In emergencies, recite protective stotras with steadiness while seeking timely medical aid; for long-term spiritual aspiration, cultivate disciplined worship and sattvic conduct rather than mere fear-driven ritual.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic realm

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.86 (protective and fruit-giving worship); Garuda Purana motifs of Garuḍa vs nāgas and protection from serpent harm in broader Purāṇic lore

Characters & Entities

• Nāgas
• Brahmā
• Brahmaloka

FAQs

What is the importance of Nāgāṣṭaka in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Nāgāṣṭaka as a protective devotional practice whose stated fruit is release from the danger/affliction associated with snakebite.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It links specific worship to specific destinations: devotion to Brahmā is said to lead to Brahmaloka, illustrating the Purāṇic idea that one’s ritual-devotional orientation shapes posthumous attainment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that disciplined prayer and reverent recitation are treated as meaningful practices in the text, while also relying on appropriate medical care for real-world emergencies like snakebite.