Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

पूर्णचन्द्रनिभः शङ्खः कौस्तुभस्त्वरुणद्युतिः / चक्रं सूर्यसहस्राभं श्रीवत्सः कुन्दसन्निभः

Transliteration

pūrṇacandranibhaḥ śaṅkhaḥ kaustubhastvaruṇadyutiḥ / cakraṃ sūryasahasrābhaṃ śrīvatsaḥ kundasannibhaḥ

Translation

His conch is like the full moon; the Kaustubha jewel shines with youthful radiance. His discus blazes like a thousand suns, and the Śrīvatsa mark is like a white jasmine blossom.

Word by Word

• पूर्णचन्द्रनिभः: like the full moon
• पूर्णचन्द्रनिभः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्णचन्द्र + निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान: पूर्णचन्द्र-सदृशः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; शङ्खस्य विशेषण

• शङ्खः: the conch
• शङ्खः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कौस्तुभः: Kaustubha (jewel)
• कौस्तुभः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौस्तुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तु: and/indeed (contrastive)
• तु: Sambandha (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (contrast/emphasis)

• अरुणद्युतिः: having reddish radiance
• अरुणद्युतिः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अरुण + द्युति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (अरुणा द्युतिः यस्य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कौस्तुभस्य विशेषण

• चक्रम्: the discus
• चक्रम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सूर्यसहस्राभम्: having the splendor of a thousand suns
• सूर्यसहस्राभम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूर्यसहस्र + आभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (सूर्य-सहस्रस्य आभा इव), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; चक्रस्य विशेषण

• श्रीवत्सः: Śrīvatsa (mark)
• श्रीवत्सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीवत्स (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कुन्दसन्निभः: like jasmine (kunda)
• कुन्दसन्निभः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुन्द + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कुन्द-सदृशः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; श्रीवत्सस्य विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord’s insignia embody complementary forces—cool auspiciousness (śaṅkha), irresistible dharma-protecting power (cakra), and the presence of Śrī (Kaustubha/Śrīvatsa).

Vedantic Theme: The one Brahman appears as ordered cosmic power (śakti) sustaining and protecting dharma; contemplation purifies the mind (citta-śuddhi).

Application: In dhyāna, visualize śaṅkha as moonlike calm to settle the mind; then cakra as sunlike clarity to cut confusion; remember Śrīvatsa/Kaustubha as signs of grace.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.11.40 (Kaustubha named); Garuda Purana 1.11.43 (further ornaments/weapons)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Kaustubha
• Sudarshana Chakra
• Shrivatsa

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu’s Shankha and Chakra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Vishnu’s unmistakable divine insignia—Shankha and Chakra—whose radiance signifies protection, cosmic order, and the Lord’s sovereignty.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing Vishnu’s luminous, protective form, it frames the Purana’s broader teaching that remembrance of the Lord and alignment with dharma are central supports for the soul’s welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse for focused Vishnu-smaraṇa (remembrance): contemplate the Shankha, Chakra, Kaustubha, and Śrīvatsa as symbols of purity, disciplined living, and protection through dharma.