Shloka 13

Viṣṇu-dharma Rakṣā: Nyāsa and Nārāyaṇa-Kavaca

Protective Invocation of Viṣṇu and His Avatāras

Devanagari script

श्रीधरो ऽव्यादर्धरात्रे पद्मनाभो निशीथके / चक्रकौमोदकीबाणा घ्नन्तु शत्रूंश्च राक्षसान्

Transliteration

śrīdharo 'vyādardharātre padmanābho niśīthake / cakrakaumodakībāṇā ghnantu śatrūṃśca rākṣasān

Translation

May Śrīdhara protect me at midnight; may Padmanābha protect me in the deepest hour of night. May the discus, the mace Kaumodakī, and the arrows strike down enemies and also the rākṣasas (demonic forces).

Word by Word

• श्रीधरः: Śrīdhara (bearer of Lakṣmī)
• श्रीधरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (श्रियाः धरः)

• अव्यात्: may (he) protect
• अव्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• अर्धरात्रे: at midnight
• अर्धरात्रे: Adhikarana (Time अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्धरात्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (अर्धं रात्रिः)

• पद्मनाभः: Padmanābha (lotus-naveled)
• पद्मनाभः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्मनाभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (पद्मस्य नाभः)

• निशीथके: in the deep night
• निशीथके: Adhikarana (Time अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशीथक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• चक्र: discus
• चक्र: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (समाहार-निर्देशः; समुच्चयार्थे)

• कौमोदकी: Kaumodakī (mace)
• कौमोदकी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौमोदकी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (समुच्चयार्थे)

• बाणाः: arrows
• बाणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• घ्नन्तु: may (they) strike/kill
• घ्नन्तु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• शत्रून्: enemies
• शत्रून्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

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

• राक्षसान्: demons
• राक्षसान्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राक्षस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in a protective stotra-style passage taught within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine protection is not only benevolent but also actively removes obstacles (śatru, rākṣasa) through the Lord’s śakti embodied as āyudha.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as both śānta (refuge) and ugra (protector); surrender transforms fear into courage.

Application: Recite at night before sleep; visualize Śrīdhara/Padmanābha standing guard and the cakra–gadā–bāṇa forming a protective perimeter against inner/outer negativity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: temporal cycle (night-hours)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.196.12 (day-part protection); Garuda Purana 1.196.14 (conch/lotus/bow/Garuḍa protection); Garuda Purana 1.196.15-16 (directional protection and phalaśruti)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Śrīdhara
• Padmanābha
• Sudarśana Chakra
• Kaumodakī
• Rākṣasas

FAQs

What is the importance of night-time protection prayers in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Viṣṇu’s names and weapons as a spiritual shield for vulnerable night hours, emphasizing rakṣā (protection) against fear, hostility, and harmful forces.

How does this verse relate to overcoming negative forces or rākṣasas?

It invokes Viṣṇu’s divine attributes (Śrīdhara, Padmanābha) and his weapons (chakra, Kaumodakī, arrows) as forces that neutralize enemies and rākṣasas—symbolically and spiritually removing obstructive energies.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Recite the verse (or its intention) before sleep for mental steadiness and protection, aligning one’s mind with dharma and reducing fear-driven thoughts.