Shloka 4

Viṣṇu-dharma Rakṣā: Nyāsa and Nārāyaṇa-Kavaca

Protective Invocation of Viṣṇu and His Avatāras

Devanagari script

प्रणवादियकारान्तमङ्गुल्यं गुष्ठपर्वसु / न्यसेद्धृदय ओङ्कारं मनुं मूर्ध्नि समस्तकम्

Transliteration

praṇavādiyakārāntamaṅgulyaṃ guṣṭhaparvasu / nyaseddhṛdaya oṅkāraṃ manuṃ mūrdhni samastakam

Translation

Placing the mantra that begins with Praṇava and ends with the syllable ‘ya’ upon the finger-joints and the joints of the thumb, one should then install the Oṅkāra in the heart, and place the complete mantra upon the crown of the head.

Word by Word

• प्रणवादि-यकारान्तम्: beginning with praṇava and ending with ‘ya’
• प्रणवादि-यकारान्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रणव + आदि + यकार + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक); ‘प्रणव-आदि’ + ‘यकार-अन्त’ (समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying the mantra/nyāsa-unit)

• अङ्गुल्यम्: the finger(s)
• अङ्गुल्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (अङ्गुलीम् इत्यर्थे)

• गुष्ठपर्वसु: on the joints of the thumb
• गुष्ठपर्वसु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुष्ठ + पर्वन् (प्रातिपदिक); ‘गुष्ठ-पर्व’ (समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; स्थाननिर्देशे

• न्यसेत्: should place
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-स्यन्द्/नि-स्य (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; √स्य/√न्यस्-भावे ‘to place’ (nyāsa)

• हृदये: in the heart
• हृदये: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• ओङ्कारम्: the Oṅkāra syllable
• ओङ्कारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओङ्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• मनुम्: the mantra
• मनुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; मन्त्रविशेषे (mantra)

• मूर्ध्नि: on the crown/head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• समस्तकम्: entirely/complete (as a whole)
• समस्तकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (entire/complete)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-nyasa culminates in establishing Oṁ in the heart and the full mantra at the crown, integrating feeling and higher awareness in Vishnu-upasana.

Vedantic Theme: Movement from gross to subtle: pratyahara-like inwardness; antahkarana purification through sacred sound.

Application: After finger-joint nyasa, pause at the heart with Oṁ (steady breath), then mentally place the complete mantra at the crown, maintaining a vertical axis of attention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: subtle body centers (hridaya, murdha)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.196.3 (dvadasakshari kara-nyasa); Garuda Purana 1.196.5 (bhrumadhya Oṁ placement; ‘Oṁ Viṣṇave’)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Omkara (Pranava)

FAQs

What is the importance of mantra-nyāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents nyāsa as a disciplined way of internalizing the mantra—placing Praṇava in the heart and the full mantra on the crown—so the practitioner’s body-mind becomes a fit vessel for ritual efficacy and protection.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes inner sanctification: by installing Oṁ in the heart and mantra on the head, one cultivates purity and steadiness—qualities repeatedly valued in Garuda Purana teachings connected with dharma, rites, and spiritual preparedness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

If you practice japa or prayer, adopt a brief nyāsa-like mindfulness: center on Oṁ at the heart before recitation, then conclude by mentally offering the mantra at the crown—keeping the practice focused and reverent.