Shloka 16

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

श्रीवल्लभाय शान्ताय श्रीमते च नमोनमः / श्रीपर्वतनिवासाय नमः श्रेयस्कराय च

Transliteration

śrīvallabhāya śāntāya śrīmate ca namonamaḥ / śrīparvatanivāsāya namaḥ śreyaskarāya ca

Translation

Salutations again and again to Śrī Vallabha, the tranquil and auspicious Lord; salutations to the One who dwells on the sacred mountain, the bestower of supreme good (śreyas).

Word by Word

• श्रीवल्लभाय: to the beloved of Śrī
• श्रीवल्लभाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीवल्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रियाः वल्लभः)

• शान्ताय: to the peaceful one
• शान्ताय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• श्रीमते: to the glorious/fortunate one
• श्रीमते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (श्रीमन्-शब्दः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

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

• श्रीपर्वतनिवासाय: to the dweller of Śrīparvata
• श्रीपर्वतनिवासाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीपर्वत (प्रातिपदिक) + निवास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः सप्तमी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रीपर्वते निवासः/श्रीपर्वतस्य निवासः)

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

• श्रेयस्कराय: to the bestower of welfare
• श्रेयस्कराय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (श्रेयसः करः = maker of welfare)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Narrator/reciter (invocatory verse within the text; not a direct Vishnu–Garuda dialogue line)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is both tranquil (śānta) and the giver of śreyas; remembering His sacred abode supports inner peace and auspicious transformation.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as śānti-svarūpa and śreyas-kartā; sacred geography as an aid to upāsanā (tīrtha-bhāvanā).

Application: Invoke ‘Śrīvallabha’ and ‘Śrīparvatanivāsa’ during worship or travel; cultivate śānti through remembrance of the Lord as the source of true welfare (śreyas).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: sacred mountain

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.15 (epithet-based salutations); Garuda Purana 1.30.17 (śreyas emphasis)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Śrī Vallabha)

FAQs

What is the importance of offering salutations (namo namaḥ) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a mangala-stuti: it centers the recitation on devotion and right intention, invoking the Lord as the giver of śreyas (highest good) before teachings unfold.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: by identifying the Lord as śreyas-kara (bestower of ultimate welfare), it frames the Purana’s teachings—ritual, dharma, and after-death guidance—as oriented toward the soul’s highest good.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin study, rites, or remembrance of the departed with a focused invocation—cultivating calm (śānti) and aiming actions toward śreyas rather than mere worldly gain.