Shloka 37

Navavyūha-pūjāvidhi: Bhūta-śuddhi, Nyāsa, Yogapīṭha, Maṇḍala-racanā, Mudrā-prayoga

Devanagari script

सितारुणहरिद्राभा नीलश्यामल्लोहिताः / मेघाग्निमदुपिङ्गाभा वर्णतो नवनामकाः

Transliteration

sitāruṇaharidrābhā nīlaśyāmallohitāḥ / meghāgnimadupiṅgābhā varṇato navanāmakāḥ

Translation

By their colors they bear nine designations: white, reddish, turmeric-yellow, blue, dark (blackish), blood-red, cloud-colored, fire-colored, and honey-tawny.

Word by Word

• सितारुणहरिद्राभाः: having white, reddish, and turmeric-like hues
• सितारुणहरिद्राभाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सित + अरुण + हरिद्रा + आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास (येषां आभा सिता-अरुण-हरिद्रा-रूपा)

• नीलश्यामल्लोहिताः: blue, dark, and red
• नीलश्यामल्लोहिताः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील + श्यामल + लोहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (blue, dark, red)

• मेघाग्निमदुपिङ्गाभाः: having hues like cloud, fire, honey, and tawny
• मेघाग्निमदुपिङ्गाभाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ + अग्नि + मधु + पिङ्ग + आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास (येषां आभा मेघ-अग्नि-मधु-पिङ्ग-रूपा)

• वर्णतः: by color/with respect to color
• वर्णतः: Adverbial (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb: ‘in respect of color’)

• नवनामकाः: having nine names
• नवनामकाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नव + नामक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (नव नाम यस्य/येषां = having nine names)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-like and tattva-like distinctions can be contemplated through varṇa (color) as supports for concentration on the divine manifold.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā uses attributes (saguṇa) as ladders toward steadiness of mind (citta-śuddhi).

Application: During japa/dhyāna, assign each invoked name a color for clearer visualization; use color as a mnemonic for sequence and function.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.11.36 (names/mantras); Garuda Purana 1.11.38-39 (bīja-to-form mappings)

FAQs

What is the importance of color-based classification in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows that certain beings/states are grouped into nine named types specifically “by color,” indicating a traditional taxonomy used to describe subtle conditions and appearances in the afterlife narrative.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It contributes a descriptive framework: the post-death journey includes recognizable classifications, and the text distinguishes states/manifestations through observable qualities such as color.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that the Garuda Purana analyzes consequences and states with precision—encouraging disciplined living (dharma) and mindful preparation through appropriate rites and ethical conduct.