Shloka 9

Śiva’s Narasiṃha-Stotra and the Pacification of the Mātṛgaṇas

Devanagari script

आवर्तसदृशाकारैः संयुक्तं देहरोमभिः / सर्वपुष्पैर्योजिताञ्च धारयंश्च महास्त्रजम्

Transliteration

āvartasadṛśākāraiḥ saṃyuktaṃ deharomabhiḥ / sarvapuṣpairyojitāñca dhārayaṃśca mahāstrajam

Translation

He wore a great garland, fashioned in spiral-like forms, interwoven with the hairs of the body, and arranged with every kind of flower.

Word by Word

• आवर्तसदृशाकारैः: with forms resembling whirlpools
• आवर्तसदृशाकारैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आवर्त + सदृश + आकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (आवर्त-सदृशाः आकाराः येषां तैः)

• संयुक्तम्: joined/covered
• संयुक्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; (देवं) इति विशेष्य

• देहरोमभिः: with the body-hairs
• देहरोमभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देह + रोमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (देहस्य रोमाणि)

• सर्वपुष्पैः: with all flowers
• सर्वपुष्पैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + पुष्प (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (सर्वाणि पुष्पाणि)

• योजितान्: arranged/fastened
• योजितान्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन; (देहरोमान्) इति विशेष्य (अध्याहृत)

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

• धारयन्: bearing/holding
• धारयन्: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धृ (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्तरि कृदन्त (Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तृविशेषण (शिवः)

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

• महास्त्रजम्: a great garland
• महास्त्रजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + स्त्रज् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (महती स्त्रक्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even the terrifying or uncanny aspects of the divine form are auspicious when understood as protective power and cosmic mastery.

Vedantic Theme: Non-dual reverence: the same Supreme appears as gentle or fierce; form serves the devotee’s need and the world’s balance.

Application: Practice non-reactive reverence: when confronted with the unsettling, reframe through sacred meaning and steadiness of mind.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: stotra/dhyāna sequences where garlands and bodily marks signify divine power (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of the “mahā-straja” (great garland) described in this verse?

It functions as sacred iconography: the “great garland” signals exalted status and ritual-auspicious adornment, emphasizing the grandeur and sanctity of the figure being described.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana themes like ritual and subtle symbolism?

Although not directly about death rites here, the Purana often uses precise, material details (flowers, forms, bodily elements) to convey spiritual rank and ritual meaning—training the reader to see symbolism in sacred descriptions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use ritual aesthetics mindfully: offerings such as flowers and garlands can be made with cleanliness, devotion, and attention to form—treating external worship as a support for inner reverence.