Shloka 16

Śiva-taught Mantra-Weapons, Mudrās, and Rakṣā-Rites

Removal of Kīlaka; Protection from Nāga, Viṣa, Graha, and Storms

Devanagari script

ॐ क्षुं(क्ष) नमः / स्मरेत्पाशं वामहस्ते विषभूतादि नश्यति / ॐ ह्रां (ह्रो) नमः / हरेदुच्चारणान्मन्त्रो विषमेघग्रहादिकान्

Transliteration

oṃ kṣuṃ(kṣa) namaḥ / smaretpāśaṃ vāmahaste viṣabhūtādi naśyati / oṃ hrāṃ (hro) namaḥ / hareduccāraṇānmantro viṣameghagrahādikān

Translation

“Oṃ kṣuṃ (kṣa), namaḥ.” If one visualizes a noose in the left hand, poison, harmful spirits, and the like are destroyed. “Oṃ hrāṃ (hro), namaḥ.” By the mere utterance of this mantra, perilous influences—malignant clouds, graha-afflictions, and related dangers—are removed.

Word by Word

• ॐ: Oṃ
• ॐ: Sambodhana/Mantra-invocation (सम्बोधन/मन्त्रारम्भ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (अव्यय/प्रणव)
• Form: प्रणव-उच्चारणम्; अव्यय (indeclinable sacred syllable)

• क्षुं: kṣuṃ (seed syllable)
• क्षुं: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्षुं (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षरम्; अव्यय (mantric seed syllable)

• क्ष: kṣa (variant seed syllable)
• क्ष: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्ष (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षर-पर्याय/पाठभेद; अव्यय

• नमः: salutation; homage
• नमः: Sambodhana/Prayojana (नमस्कारार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नमः-शब्दः; अव्यय-प्रयोगः (salutatory particle, used indeclinably)

• स्मरेत्: should remember/recite mentally
• स्मरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; विधिलिङ्गार्थेऽपि आज्ञार्थः (let him remember)

• पाशम्: noose
• पाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्

• वामहस्ते: in the left hand
• वामहस्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (वामस्य हस्तः); पुंलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• विषभूतादि: poison, spirits, and the like
• विषभूतादि: Karta/Upasarga of effect (फल-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + भूत + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहारार्थ-तत्पुरुषः/समाससमूहः; नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रायः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन-रूपेण अव्यक्तम् (collective: poison, spirits, etc.)

• नश्यति: perishes/is destroyed
• नश्यति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• ॐ: Oṃ
• ॐ: Mantra-invocation (मन्त्रारम्भ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (अव्यय/प्रणव)
• Form: प्रणव-उच्चारणम्; अव्यय

• ह्रां: hrāṃ (seed syllable)
• ह्रां: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह्रां (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षरम्; अव्यय

• ह्रो: hro (variant seed syllable)
• ह्रो: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह्रो (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षर-पर्याय/पाठभेद; अव्यय

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Prayojana (नमस्कारार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नमः-शब्दः; अव्यय-प्रयोगः

• हरेत्: should remove/ward off
• हरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम् (हरतु/हरेत्: let it remove)

• उच्चारणात्: from (its) recitation
• उच्चारणात्: Apadana/Hetu (अपादान/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद् + चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (अपादान), एकवचनम्; ‘उच्चारण’ = pronunciation/recitation

• मन्त्रः: the mantra
• मन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• विषमेघग्रहादिकान्: poisonous clouds, seizures/afflictions, and the like
• विषमेघग्रहादिकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + मेघ + ग्रह + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाससमूहः (विषमेघाः, ग्रहाः, आदयः); पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-japa and dhyāna as protective upāya against adharma-born disturbances (graha/bhūta/visha).

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha mediated through śabda (mantra) and saṅkalpa; fear is pacified by refuge in sacred sound.

Application: Daily/occasional japa of the given bījas with focused visualization (pāśa in left hand) during perceived danger, illness, or astrological affliction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.20.17-20 (continuation of rakṣā-mantras against graha/bhūta/visha); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa (general theme: unseen agencies and their pacification)

Characters & Entities

• Bhūtas
• Grahas

FAQs

What is the importance of protective mantras in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents mantra-recitation and visualization as practical protective measures, specifically to counter poison, bhūta disturbances, and graha-related afflictions.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes safeguarding the embodied person from harmful influences (poison, spirits, grahas), supporting ritual and dharmic stability that the Garuda Purana links with well-being and auspicious transitions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use disciplined, respectful mantra-japa with focused visualization as a traditional protective practice—especially during fear, illness, or perceived negative influences—preferably under guidance of a qualified teacher.