Shloka 75

Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority

Devanagari script

भाग्यात्मकत्वाच्छ्रीदेव्या नमनं नदनु स्मृतम् / परो नरोत्तमो वा स साधकेशोपि च स्मृतः

Transliteration

bhāgyātmakatvācchrīdevyā namanaṃ nadanu smṛtam / paro narottamo vā sa sādhakeśopi ca smṛtaḥ

Translation

Weil Śrī Devī ihrem Wesen nach das Glück und die Gunst selbst ist, wird gelehrt, dass die Verneigung vor Ihr an sich schon eine Gabe, ein verdienstvolles Opfer, darstellt. Ein solcher Mensch wird als der Höchste—ja als der Beste unter den Menschen—erinnert und als ein vorzüglicher Sādhaka, ein führender Übender, angesehen.

Word by Word

• भाग्यात्मकत्वात्: because of (her) being of the nature of fortune
• भाग्यात्मकत्वात्: Hetu (हेतु/पञ्चमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāgya-ātmaka-tva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; हेत्वर्थ (ablative of cause); समास: तत्पुरुष (भाग्यात्मकं तत्त्वम्)

• श्रीदेव्याः: of Śrī-devī (Lakṣmī)
• श्रीदेव्याः: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrī-devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी, एकवचन; समास: कर्मधारय (श्रीरूपा देवी)

• नमनम्: salutation/bowing
• नमनम्: Karma (कर्म/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: namana (प्रातिपदिक; from √nam नम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियानाम (act-noun)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• दनु: Danu (name)
• दनु: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: danu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; (पाठान्तर/दुर्लभ-शब्द; सम्भाव्यः ‘दनु’ नाम)

• स्मृतम्: is said/considered
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛta (कृदन्त; √smṛ स्मृ)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP) predicative; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थ (“is said/considered”)

• परः: supreme
• परः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (“supreme/other”)

• नरोत्तमः: best of men
• नरोत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara-uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: तत्पुरुष (नराणाम् उत्तमः)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विकल्प)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्प (disjunctive particle: “or”)

• सः: he/that one
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• साधकेशः: lord of practitioners
• साधकेशः: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhaka-īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; समास: तत्पुरुष (साधकानाम् ईशः)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थ (particle: “also/even”)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• स्मृतः: is said/considered
• स्मृतः: Kriya (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛta (कृदन्त; √smṛ स्मृ)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (PPP) predicative; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थ

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Namaskāra to Śrī is itself a meritorious offering because she is bhāgya-svarūpa (the very essence of good fortune).

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha (grace) and śraddhā as a catalyst for puṇya and inner refinement; auspicious śakti as inseparable from Nārāyaṇa.

Application: Begin study/ritual with sincere salutation to Śrī; cultivate humility and gratitude, treating reverence as a real spiritual act (not mere formality).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.1.76-79 (sequence of salutations: Vāyu, Bhāratī, Vyāsa, Viṣṇu/Vyāsa order)

Characters & Entities

• Shri Devi (Lakshmi)

FAQs

What is the importance of bowing (namaskāra) to Śrī Devī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that salutation to Śrī Devī itself functions like dāna (a meritorious offering), generating spiritual merit (puṇya).

How does this verse connect devotion with merit-making practices like charity?

It equates sincere bowing to Śrī Devī with the fruit of giving, implying that inner reverence can carry the same dharmic potency as external offerings.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate daily reverence—offer respectful salutations and live with gratitude and integrity—treating devotion as a disciplined practice that supports dharma and right conduct.