Shloka 9
Vashikarana–Stambhana Prayogas and Garbha-Sambhava Yogas
आरण्यस्य बिडालस्य गृहित्वा रुधिरं शुभम् / करञ्जतैले तद्भाव्यं रुद्राग्नौ कज्जलं ततः / पातयेत्पद्मपत्रेण हादृश्यः स्यात्तदञ्जनात्
āraṇyasya biḍālasya gṛhitvā rudhiraṃ śubham / karañjataile tadbhāvyaṃ rudrāgnau kajjalaṃ tataḥ / pātayetpadmapatreṇa hādṛśyaḥ syāttadañjanāt
Taking the auspicious blood of a wild cat, one should mix it into karañja oil and, in the so-called Rudra-fire, prepare lampblack (kohl) from it. Applying that collyrium with a lotus leaf, a person becomes invisible by means of that ointment.
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)
Concept: Pursuit of siddhi for concealment/stealth reflects desire-driven action with moral consequences.
Vedantic Theme: Māyā and concealment: external invisibility contrasts with inner ignorance; siddhi is not liberation.
Application: Treat as a textual witness to siddhi-lore; ethically, avoid harm/stealth used for wrongdoing; prioritize transparency and self-knowledge.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.178 (anjana/kajjala siddhi procedures)
FAQs
This verse presents an anjana-making procedure where lampblack prepared with specific substances is said to grant the siddhi of becoming unseen, showing the text’s inclusion of ritual-technical and occult applications.
While the Garuda Purana is widely known for afterlife and dharma themes, it also contains practical ritual and mantra/tantra-adjacent instructions; this verse is an example of such specialized ritual lore rather than a description of Yama’s realm.
Treat it primarily as a historical-ritual reference: focus on the underlying ethical takeaway that extraordinary claims and ritual techniques should be approached with discernment and aligned with dharma, not used for harm or deception.