Shloka 2

Vaiṣṇava-kavaca: Vishnu’s Protective Armor Against Fear, Disease, Poison, and Hostile Forces

Devanagari script

प्रणम्य देवमीशानमजं नित्यमनामयम् / देवं सर्वेश्वरं विष्णुं सर्वव्यापिनमव्ययम्

Transliteration

praṇamya devamīśānamajaṃ nityamanāmayam / devaṃ sarveśvaraṃ viṣṇuṃ sarvavyāpinamavyayam

Translation

Having bowed to the Lord—Īśāna, the Unborn, the Eternal, free from all affliction—and to the Deva Viṣṇu, Lord of all, all-pervading and imperishable.

Word by Word

• प्रणम्य: having bowed
• प्रणम्य: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial to main action/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-नम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभावः; धातु: नम्, उपसर्ग: प्र-; क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण (having bowed)

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• ईशानम्: the Lord, ruler
• ईशानम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ईशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier of देवम्)

• अजम्: unborn
• अजम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of देवम्)

• नित्यम्: eternal
• नित्यम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of देवम्)

• अनामयम्: free from disease/blemish
• अनामयम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनामय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of देवम्)

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; पुनरुक्तिः (appositional repetition)

• सर्वेश्वरम्: Lord of all
• सर्वेश्वरम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषाम् ईश्वरः = lord of all); विशेषणम् (of देवम्)

• विष्णुम्: Vishnu
• विष्णुम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; देवस्य नाम

• सर्वव्यापिनम्: all-pervading
• सर्वव्यापिनम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + व्यापिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थः (सर्वत्र व्यापी); विशेषणम् (of विष्णुम्/देवम्)

• अव्ययम्: imperishable
• अव्ययम्: Karman (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of विष्णुम्/देवम्)

Speaker

Narrator (invocatory verse praising Lord Vishnu before the discourse)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Praṇāma and remembrance of Viṣṇu as ajā (unborn), avyaya (imperishable), sarvavyāpin (all-pervading) as the ground of refuge.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman/Īśvara as nitya (eternal) and avyaya; sarvavyāptitva (omnipresence) supporting śaraṇāgati (taking refuge).

Application: Begin rites, travel, or daily practice with bowing and mentally affirming Viṣṇu’s omnipresence and imperishability to steady the mind.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.194.3-6 (protective amulet and aṅga-nyāsa style protection)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

Why does the Garuda Purana begin with an invocation to Vishnu?

This verse establishes Viṣṇu as the supreme, all-pervading, imperishable refuge, sanctifying the discourse and framing later teachings (including dharma and post-death rites) as grounded in divine order.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death described in the Garuda Purana?

By identifying the Lord as eternal and unchanging (avyaya) and all-pervading (sarvavyāpin), it points to a stable divine reality beyond bodily decay—an anchor for teachings on the jīva’s post-death passage and ritual supports.

What is a practical application of this verse today?

Begin study, śrāddha-related observances, or any dharmic act with reverence and remembrance of the imperishable Lord, cultivating steadiness, humility, and ethical clarity.