Shloka 146

Devanagari script

सिद्धक्षेत्रेषु तीर्थेषु देवतायतनेषु च / सहस्रशतकोटीनामनन्तं विष्णुसन्निधौ

Transliteration

siddhakṣetreṣu tīrtheṣu devatāyataneṣu ca / sahasraśatakoṭīnāmanantaṃ viṣṇusannidhau

Translation

In siddha-kṣetras, at tīrthas, and in the temples of the gods as well—near the presence of Viṣṇu—the benefit is limitless, surpassing even thousands, hundreds, and crores of ordinary merits.

Word by Word

• सिद्धक्षेत्रेषु: in accomplished/holy fields
• सिद्धक्षेत्रेषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः (सिद्धं क्षेत्रम्)

• तीर्थेषु: in sacred fords
• तीर्थेषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन

• देवतायतनेषु: in temples/shrines of deities
• देवतायतनेषु: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक) + आयतन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवतायाः आयतनम्)

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

• सहस्रशतकोटीनाम्: of thousands, hundreds, and crores
• सहस्रशतकोटीनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शत (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (कोटि-प्रधान), षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वसमासः (सहस्राणि च शतानि च कोटयः च)

• अनन्तम्: endless/infinite
• अनन्तम्: Kriya (Predicate/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण/विधेय

• विष्णुसन्निधौ: in the presence of Viṣṇu
• विष्णुसन्निधौ: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विष्णोः सन्निधिः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred geography culminates in Viṣṇu-sannidhi; proximity (sannidhāna) to the Supreme intensifies spiritual fruit beyond calculable merit.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-brahman upāsanā as a powerful means for citta-śuddhi and grace; the Infinite (ananta) cannot be measured by finite karmic arithmetic.

Application: When visiting temples/tīrthas, prioritize Viṣṇu worship with focused devotion; perform dāna/japa/sevā in Viṣṇu temples for maximal spiritual orientation rather than mere merit-counting.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: pilgrimage sites and temples

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (temple/tīrtha-mahātmyas and Viṣṇu-bhakti sections elsewhere in the Purana)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu-sannidhi (being near Vishnu) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that spiritual benefit near Viṣṇu is ananta—limitless—surpassing even vast counts of ordinary merit, highlighting the supreme efficacy of devotion and proximity to Viṣṇu.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to sacred places?

By emphasizing siddha-kṣetras, tīrthas, and deva-temples—especially Viṣṇu’s presence—the verse implies that sanctified environments and Viṣṇu-bhakti strongly aid purification and upliftment, which supports the soul’s auspicious course.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize sincere worship and remembrance of Viṣṇu, and when possible visit temples and tīrthas with ethical conduct and devotion—treating darśana and prayer as acts of inner purification rather than mere travel.