Shloka 18

Nāmāṣṭottara-dviśata: Gaṇa–Chandas–Yati Catalogue and Mnemonic Coding

Devanagari script

ममौ ययौ वैश्वदेवी पञ्चाश्वैश्च यतिर्भवेत् / मभौ समौ जलधरमालाब्ध्यन्त्यैर्यतिभवेत्

Transliteration

mamau yayau vaiśvadevī pañcāśvaiśca yatirbhavet / mabhau samau jaladharamālābdhyantyairyatibhavet

Translation

When the indications are “ma” and “mau”, and the presence of Vaiśvadevī together with the group of fifty (powers/letters) is there, one becomes a yati, a renunciate. Likewise, when “ma” and “bhau” are in balance, and attainment reaches to the end of the “water-bearing garland” (a cloud-and-water auspicious sign), one becomes a yati.

Word by Word

• ममौ: (the gaṇas) ma and mau
• ममौ: Vishaya (Topic/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ममौ (छन्दोगण-नाम, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; gaṇa-pair

• ययौ: (the gaṇas) ya and yau
• ययौ: Vishaya (Topic/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ययौ (छन्दोगण-नाम, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन; gaṇa-pair

• वैश्वदेवी: (the metre) Vaiśvadevī
• वैश्वदेवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्वदेवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; छन्दोनाम

• पञ्चाश्वैः: by ‘five horses’ (a numerical marker)
• पञ्चाश्वैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + अश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; छन्दः-गणना-चिह्न (technical count-marker)

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

• यतिः: caesura/pause
• यतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; छन्दः-विशेष (caesura)

• भवेत्: should be/occurs
• भवेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• मभौ: (the gaṇas) ma and bhau
• मभौ: Vishaya (Topic/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मभौ (छन्दोगण-नाम, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• समौ: (the gaṇas) sa and mau
• समौ: Vishaya (Topic/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समौ (छन्दोगण-नाम, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• जलधर-माला-अब्धि-अन्त्यैः: by (the markers) cloud, garland, ocean, and last
• जलधर-माला-अब्धि-अन्त्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलधर (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक) + अब्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्त्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; गणना-चिह्न-समाहार (list of count-markers)

• यतिः: caesura/pause
• यतिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भवेत्: should be/occurs
• भवेत्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Renunciation (yati-bhāva) is linked to alignment/balance of signs and universal divine order (Vaiśvadevī; ‘fifty’ as akṣara-śakti), suggesting disciplined speech and mind as gateways to vairāgya.

Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya and śama-dama supported by śabda-sādhana; the ‘fifty letters’ as Mātrikā-śakti harnessed toward inner restraint.

Application: Treat speech/recitation as discipline: maintain measured articulation (akṣara-samyama) and balanced cadence; cultivate yati-like restraint through daily mantra/recitation and simplified living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: hermitage

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.209 (yati markers within prosodic coding)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Viśvedevas

FAQs

What is the importance of becoming a yati (renunciate) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats yatihood as a distinct dharmic outcome indicated by specific spiritual/phonetic-astrological signs, emphasizing renunciation as a recognized life-path rather than a random choice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By highlighting yati (ascetic life), it points to a path centered on detachment and disciplined living, which the Garuda Purana commonly links with purification of karma and higher post-death trajectories.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that renunciation is grounded in discipline, study, and inner readiness; cultivate restraint, truthfulness, and regular spiritual practice before adopting major vows.