Shloka 16

Nārāyaṇa-Smaraṇa as the Supreme Dharma, Expiation, and Yogic Purifier

Devanagari script

यथाग्निरुद्यतशिखः कक्षं दहति वानिलः / तथा चित्तस्थिते विष्णौ योगिना सर्वकिल्बिषम्

Transliteration

yathāgnirudyataśikhaḥ kakṣaṃ dahati vānilaḥ / tathā cittasthite viṣṇau yoginā sarvakilbiṣam

Translation

Just as a wind-fanned fire with rising flames burns up dry brushwood, so too, when Viṣṇu is firmly established in the mind, the yogin burns away all sin and impurity.

Word by Word

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (Comparative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमानवाचक-अव्यय — comparative particle (‘as’)

• अग्निः: fire
• अग्निः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — Nominative singular

• उद्यतशिखः: with flames raised
• उद्यतशिखः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्यत + शिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — Nominative singular; बहुव्रीहि (यस्य शिखा उद्यता)

• कक्षम्: brushwood/thicket
• कक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• दहति: burns
• दहति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — 3rd person singular

• वानिलः: wind
• वानिलः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु + अनिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन — Nominative singular; द्वन्द्व (वायुः च अनिलः) = ‘wind’

• तथा: so
• तथा: Sambandha (Comparative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: तुलनावाचक-अव्यय — ‘so/in the same way’

• चित्तस्थिते: when the mind is fixed
• चित्तस्थिते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चित्त + स्थित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन — Locative singular; तत्पुरुष (चित्ते स्थितः) used as locative qualifier

• विष्णौ: in/ on Viṣṇu
• विष्णौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन — Locative singular

• योगिना: by the yogi
• योगिना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन — Instrumental singular

• सर्वकिल्बिषम्: all sin/impurity
• सर्वकिल्बिषम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + किल्बिष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — Accusative singular; कर्मधारय (सर्वं किल्बिषम्)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue to Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When Viṣṇu is firmly established in consciousness, the yogin burns all kīlbiṣa (sin/defilement) like fire consumes dry brushwood.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti-yoga as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; īśvara-smṛti/ekāgratā dissolving pāpa-vāsanā; convergence of yoga and devotion to Viṣṇu.

Application: Practice dhāraṇā on Viṣṇu (form, qualities, or name) until remembrance becomes continuous; use mantra-japa to ‘fan the flame’ of focus.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.230.17 (Vāsudeva purifies like fire purifies gold); Garuda Purana 1.230.18 (Hari-smṛti destroys lodged sin)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Yogin

FAQs

What is the importance of meditating on Viṣṇu in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse states that when Viṣṇu is held steadily in the mind, the yogin’s accumulated moral impurities (kilbiṣa) are burned away, indicating meditation as a direct means of inner purification.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing the destruction of sin through sustained God-centered awareness, it implies that purification of the mind and karma is foundational for a higher post-death trajectory and freedom from degrading consequences of papa.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice regular Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (remembrance), japa, and ethical restraint; the verse frames consistent, focused devotion/meditation as a way to reduce harmful tendencies and cleanse one’s conduct.