Shloka 1
Brahmāṇḍa-Āvaraṇa Nirūpaṇa, Virajā-Setu, and Prākṛta–Vaikṛta Sṛṣṭi
नाम नवमो ऽध्यायः गरुड उवाच / देवैरेवं स्तुतो विष्णुर्भगवान्सात्त्वतां पतिः / कीदृशं ह्याश्रयं दत्त्वैषां विवेश महाप्रभुः
nāma navamo 'dhyāyaḥ garuḍa uvāca / devairevaṃ stuto viṣṇurbhagavānsāttvatāṃ patiḥ / kīdṛśaṃ hyāśrayaṃ dattvaiṣāṃ viveśa mahāprabhuḥ
Garuḍa sprach: So von den Göttern gepriesen, Herr Viṣṇu—der Bhagavān, Beschützer der Sāttvatas—welcherlei Zuflucht gewährte ihnen der Große Herr, und in welchen Zustand oder welche Wohnstatt trat Er danach ein?
Garuḍa (Vinata-putra)
Concept: Stuti leads to divine response: Viṣṇu grants āśraya (refuge) and manifests/enters a particular state or abode; inquiry models reverent questioning.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as śaraṇya (refuge) responding to devotion; divine līlā and abode as supports for contemplation.
Application: Cultivate śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) and ask questions in a spirit of devotion; use narratives of divine refuge to strengthen trust and practice.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.10.2 (Garuḍa’s request for full explanation)
FAQs
This verse frames āśraya as divine shelter granted by Viṣṇu to the devas, highlighting surrender and protection as a core spiritual principle in the text’s narrative flow.
Indirectly: by emphasizing Viṣṇu as the ultimate refuge, it sets a theological basis later used in Garuḍa Purāṇa discussions on protection, right conduct, and the soul’s dependence on higher order (dharma and divine grace).
Cultivate śaraṇāgati—seeking refuge in dharma and devotion—especially during fear or uncertainty, aligning actions with sattva (clarity, ethical living) as implied by “sāttvatāṃ patiḥ.”