Shloka 36
दिगर्कैर्भद्रकं भ्रौ न्रौ नरना गो यथाकृतिः / नजौ भश्वाश्वललितं जभौ जभलगा भवेत्
digarkairbhadrakaṃ bhrau nrau naranā go yathākṛtiḥ / najau bhaśvāśvalalitaṃ jabhau jabhalagā bhavet
With the syllabic groups “dig” and “arka” it becomes “bhadraka”; with “bhrau” and “nrau” it indicates “nara” and “nāga”; and “go” is to be formed according to the prescribed pattern. With “na-jau” it becomes “bhaśva”; with “aśva” it yields “aśva-lalita”; with “ja-bhau” it becomes “jabha”; and thus “jabha-lagā” is produced.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Rule-governed derivation: specific gaṇa markers yield specific chandas-names; knowledge is encoded in compact syllabic keys.
Vedantic Theme: Śabda as a structured vehicle of knowledge; discipline of language (vāk) as an aid to right understanding.
Application: Apply the given gaṇa triggers (dig/arka, bhrau/nrau, na-jau, aśva, ja-bhau) to identify or construct the corresponding metres in composition and recitation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.209: continuing list of metres and gaṇa triggers; likely preceding/following verses define additional prakṛti/vikṛti patterns
FAQs
This verse functions as a technical guide: it teaches how specific syllabic groups combine to yield particular mantra-words/names, emphasizing that ritual efficacy depends on correct formation and pronunciation.
Garuda Purana’s ritual sections often rely on exact mantra recitation; this verse supports that framework by giving phonetic/structural instructions for producing specific terms used in liturgical contexts.
When chanting Garuda Purana passages or related mantras for śrāddha/pinda-dāna contexts, follow an authentic text and teacher-led pronunciation—this verse underlines that precision in sound and structure matters.