Shloka 10

Viṣṇu-dharma Rakṣā: Nyāsa and Nārāyaṇa-Kavaca

Protective Invocation of Viṣṇu and His Avatāras

Devanagari script

धन्वन्तीरश्चापथ्याच्च नागः क्रोधवशात्किल / यज्ञो रोगात्समस्ताच्च व्यासो ऽज्ञानाच्च रक्षतु

Transliteration

dhanvantīraścāpathyācca nāgaḥ krodhavaśātkila / yajño rogātsamastācca vyāso 'jñānācca rakṣatu

Translation

May Dhanvantari protect me from unwholesome food and improper regimen; may the Nāga protect me from anger that overpowers the mind. May Yajña protect me from diseases of every kind; and may Vyāsa protect me from ignorance.

Word by Word

• धन्वन्तीरः: Dhanvantari
• धन्वन्तीरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धन्वन्तरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (पाठरूप: धन्वन्तीरः/धन्वन्तरिः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• अपथ्यात्: from improper diet/unwholesome things
• अपथ्यात्: Apadana (Source/Separation/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• नागः: Naga (serpent deity)
• नागः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• क्रोधवशात्: from the sway of anger
• क्रोधवशात्: Apadana (Source/Separation/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रोधवश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (क्रोध + वश)

• किल: indeed/it is said
• किल: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किल (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), प्रसिद्ध्यर्थ/अनुश्रव

• यज्ञः: Yajna (sacrificial form)
• यज्ञः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• रोगात्: from disease
• रोगात्: Apadana (Source/Separation/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• समस्तात्: from all (kinds)
• समस्तात्: Apadana (Source/Separation/अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषणरूपेण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन; ‘सर्वतः/समस्ततः’ अर्थे

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• व्यासः: Vyasa
• व्यासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• अज्ञानात्: from ignorance
• अज्ञानात्: Apadana (Source/Separation/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• रक्षतु: may (he) protect
• रक्षतु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in a protective, dharmic context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right regimen, mastery over anger, and pursuit of knowledge are protective dharmic disciplines; divine remembrance supports these virtues.

Vedantic Theme: Ajñāna as root affliction; purification of antaḥkaraṇa through sattvic conduct and right understanding.

Application: Adopt wholesome diet/regimen, anger-management, preventive health practices, and daily study/reflective inquiry; use the verse as a reminder before meals and during emotional agitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.196 (protective sequence including health and ignorance)

Characters & Entities

• Dhanvantari
• Naga
• Yajna
• Vyasa

FAQs

What is the importance of protective invocations like this in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames practical spiritual protection by invoking divine/wise principles—medicine (Dhanvantari), restraint (Nāga against anger), ritual order (Yajña against disease), and scripture-knowledge (Vyāsa against ignorance).

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on suffering and its causes?

It points to key roots of suffering—wrong regimen, uncontrolled anger, bodily disease, and ignorance—implying that purification, discipline, and right knowledge reduce misery and support dharmic living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt a sattvic, suitable diet (avoid apathya), practice anger-management and restraint, maintain health through disciplined routine, and study/reflect on sacred knowledge to overcome ignorance.