Shloka 15

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

श्रीनिवासाय देवाय नमः श्रीपतये नमः / श्रीधराय सशार्ङ्गाय श्रीप्रदाय नमोनमः

Transliteration

śrīnivāsāya devāya namaḥ śrīpataye namaḥ / śrīdharāya saśārṅgāya śrīpradāya namonamaḥ

Translation

Salutations to the divine Lord Śrīnivāsa; salutations to Śrīpati, the consort of Lakṣmī. Salutations to Śrīdhara, bearer of Śrī (Lakṣmī), to Him who bears the Śārṅga bow, and to the bestower of auspicious prosperity—again and again, salutations.

Word by Word

• श्रीनिवासाय: to Śrīnivāsa
• श्रीनिवासाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीनिवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रियाः निवासः)

• देवाय: to the god
• देवाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय (indeclinable interjection of salutation)

• श्रीपतये: to the Lord of Śrī
• श्रीपतये: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रियाः पतिः)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय (salutation)

• श्रीधराय: to Śrīdhara
• श्रीधराय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीधर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सशार्ङ्गाय: to the one bearing the Śārṅga bow
• सशार्ङ्गाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय-उपसर्गसदृश) + शार्ङ्गिन्/शार्ङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (शार्ङ्गं यस्य सः = having the Śārṅga bow)

• श्रीप्रदाय: to the giver of prosperity
• श्रीप्रदाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीप्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रियाः प्रदः/दाता)

• नमोनमः: salutations again and again
• नमोनमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक) + नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुनरुक्त-निपात (reduplicated salutation; indeclinable usage)

Speaker

Narrative invocation (stuti) to Lord Vishnu (commonly recited within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue setting)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nāma-stuti: approaching the Lord through His names—Śrīnivāsa, Śrīpati, Śrīdhara, Śārṅgadhara—affirming His grace and auspicious bestowal.

Vedantic Theme: Bhagavān as the locus of Śrī (divine prosperity) and as īśvara with attributes; nāma as a support for concentration (ālambana) in upāsanā.

Application: Use these epithets as a short nāma-japa sequence, especially at the start of worship, before work, or when seeking steadiness and auspiciousness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.14 (dhyāna + stotra); Garuda Purana 1.30.16-18 (continued salutations and conclusion)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Śrīnivāsa/Śrīpati/Śrīdhara)
• Lakṣmī (Śrī)
• Śārṅga (Vishnu’s bow)

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Vishnu (Śrīnivāsa/Śrīpati) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a devotional invocation, centering the teaching in remembrance of Vishnu—seen as the protector and the source of auspiciousness (śrī) before discussing dharma, rites, and the soul’s journey.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes devotion and remembrance of Vishnu, a recurring Garuda Purana theme for spiritual protection and steadiness when confronting death, karma, and post-death passages.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use this as a daily or pre-ritual prayer (japa/stuti) to cultivate devotion, invoke auspiciousness, and align actions with dharma—especially during śrāddha, prayer, or times of fear and grief.