Shloka 14

Viṣṇu-dharma Rakṣā: Nyāsa and Nārāyaṇa-Kavaca

Protective Invocation of Viṣṇu and His Avatāras

Devanagari script

शङ्खः पद्मं च शत्रुभ्यः शार्ङ्गं वै गरुडस्तथा / बुद्धीन्द्रियमनः प्राणान्पान्तु पार्श्वविभूषणः

Transliteration

śaṅkhaḥ padmaṃ ca śatrubhyaḥ śārṅgaṃ vai garuḍastathā / buddhīndriyamanaḥ prāṇānpāntu pārśvavibhūṣaṇaḥ

Translation

May the conch and the lotus protect me from enemies; and may Garuḍa, as well as Śārṅga (the divine bow), protect my intellect, senses, mind, and vital breaths—He who is adorned with ornaments at His sides.

Word by Word

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

• पद्मम्: lotus
• पद्मम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (अत्र प्रथमा-समुच्चयार्थे)

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

• शत्रुभ्यः: from enemies
• शत्रुभ्यः: Apadana (Source/Separation अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी/पञ्चमी (4th/5th Dative/Ablative), बहुवचन; अत्र पञ्चमी (अपादानार्थे)

• शार्ङ्गम्: Śārṅga (the bow)
• शार्ङ्गम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शार्ङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (अत्र प्रथमा-समुच्चयार्थे)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha/Emphasis (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• गरुडः: Garuḍa
• गरुडः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: likewise)

• बुद्धि: intellect
• बुद्धि: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (समाहार-निर्देशः)

• इन्द्रिय: senses
• इन्द्रिय: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (समाहार-निर्देशः)

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्राणान्: vital breaths
• प्राणान्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• पान्तु: may (they) protect
• पान्तु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पा (धातु; पा रक्षणे)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• पार्श्वविभूषणः: the side-ornament (epithet)
• पार्श्वविभूषणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्श्वविभूषण (प्रातिपदिक; पार्श्व + विभूषण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषसमासः (पार्श्वस्य विभूषणः)

Speaker

Narrator/Reciter (within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context, a protective invocation is being stated)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True protection includes mastery and purification of inner instruments (antaḥkaraṇa) and prāṇa, not merely external safety.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as a prerequisite for higher realization; prāṇa and mind steadied by devotion to Īśvara.

Application: Use as a meditative kavaca: visualize śaṅkha and padma shielding from hostility; Garuḍa and Śārṅga encircling the head/heart; then mentally seal buddhi, senses, mind, and breath with the mantra.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: protective sphere (body-mind)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.196.13 (weapons against rākṣasas); Garuda Purana 1.196.15 (directional protection)

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa
• Śārṅga
• Śaṅkha
• Padma

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Śaṅkha and Padma in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Viṣṇu’s emblems (conch and lotus) as protective forces—symbolically guarding the devotee from external hostility and restoring inner purity and steadiness.

How does this verse explain protection of the subtle inner faculties?

By explicitly naming buddhi (intellect), indriyas (senses), manas (mind), and prāṇas (vital forces), the verse frames spiritual protection as defense of the subtle and psychological layers, not only the physical body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a daily prayer for self-control: before decisions or rituals, recite with the intention to guard the mind, restrain senses, and stabilize prāṇa—reducing impulsive actions that lead to harm or conflict.