Shloka 18

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

शरण्याय वरेण्याय नमो भूयो नमोनमः / स्तोत्रं कृत्वा नमस्कृत्य देवदेवं विसर्जयेत्

Transliteration

śaraṇyāya vareṇyāya namo bhūyo namonamaḥ / stotraṃ kṛtvā namaskṛtya devadevaṃ visarjayet

Translation

Salutations again and again to the One who is the refuge and the most worthy of adoration. Having composed (or recited) a hymn and bowed in reverence, one should respectfully take leave of Devadeva, the Lord of gods.

Word by Word

• शरण्याय: to the protector/refuge-giver
• शरण्याय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• वरेण्याय: to the most worthy of choice
• वरेण्याय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वरेण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• नमो: salutation
• नमो: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: निपात/अव्यय; रूपान्तरम् (नमः → नमो) परतः घोषे/स्वरे

• भूयः: again; further
• भूयः: Sambandha (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भूयस्/भूयः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

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

• स्तोत्रम्: the hymn
• स्तोत्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्तोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having made/composed
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘having done’

• नमस्कृत्य: having bowed/saluted
• नमस्कृत्य: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् + कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund), ‘having saluted’

• देवदेवम्: the God of gods
• देवदेवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (देवानां देवः)

• विसर्जयेत्: should dismiss/let depart
• विसर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + सृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the discourse style of the Garuda Purana)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Devotion includes proper completion: after stotra and namaskāra, one performs respectful closure (visarjana), affirming God as refuge and supremely worthy.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti expressed through upacāra and niyama; reverence as a discipline that steadies the mind (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: End prayers formally: offer a concluding bow, a brief kṣamā-prārthanā (seeking forgiveness for errors), and mentally ‘release’ the ritual focus while retaining remembrance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space (home shrine/temple implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.14 (stotra to Parameśvara); Garuda Purana 1.30.15-17 (sequence of salutations)

Characters & Entities

• Devadeva

FAQs

What is the importance of concluding a stotra properly in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes ritual completeness: after praise (stotra) and obeisance (namaskāra), one should formally conclude by respectfully taking leave (visarjana) of Devadeva, reflecting disciplined devotional etiquette.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader dharmic framework: orderly worship, humility, and proper observance of rites are presented as supportive virtues that align one’s conduct with dharma—an essential foundation for favorable spiritual outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When finishing prayer or mantra/stotra recitation, end with gratitude and a respectful closing—offer salutations, bow mentally or physically, and conclude consciously rather than abruptly.