Shloka 19

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

यः करोति महाभक्त्या स याति परमं पदम्

Transliteration

yaḥ karoti mahābhaktyā sa yāti paramaṃ padam

Translation

Whoever performs this with great devotion attains the supreme abode.

Word by Word

• यः: who (he who)
• यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• करोति: does, performs
• करोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• महाभक्त्या: with great devotion
• महाभक्त्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभक्ति (प्रातिपदिक: महा + भक्ति)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु-भाव (by/with great devotion)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; निर्देश-सर्वनाम (correlative pronoun)

• याति: goes, attains
• याति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• परमं: supreme
• परमं: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying)

• पदम्: state, abode, position
• पदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mahābhakti as the decisive means leading to the supreme goal.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as a direct/upāya to mokṣa; grace-oriented attainment of the highest state.

Application: Perform prescribed worship/recitation with wholehearted devotion rather than mere formality; cultivate single-pointed remembrance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.20 (recitation of the chapter leading to Viṣṇu’s supreme abode); Garuda Purana 1.31.2 (worship bestowing bhukti and mukti)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of mahābhakti (great devotion) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that sincere, intense devotion is a direct cause for reaching the supreme goal, emphasizing inner intent over mere external performance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It frames the soul’s progress as determined by devotion-filled practice: one who acts with deep bhakti is said to “go” to the highest abode rather than remain bound to lower destinations.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform daily worship, japa, charity, or duty with genuine devotion and steadiness—cultivating sincerity and remembrance of the Divine as the core discipline.