Shloka 3

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

दर्शयेदात्मनो मुद्रां शङ्खचक्रगदादिकाम् / ध्यात्वात्मानं श्रीधराख्यं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम्

Transliteration

darśayedātmano mudrāṃ śaṅkhacakragadādikām / dhyātvātmānaṃ śrīdharākhyaṃ śaṅkhacakragadādharam

Translation

Display one’s own mudrās—such as those of the conch, discus, mace, and the like—and then meditate on oneself as Śrīdhara, the bearer of the conch (śaṅkha), discus (cakra), and mace (gadā).

Word by Word

• दर्शयेत्: should show
• दर्शयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (of oneself)

• मुद्राम्: hand-gesture; mudrā
• मुद्राम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• शङ्खचक्रगदादिकाम्: such as conch, discus, mace, etc.
• शङ्खचक्रगदादिकाम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + क (प्रातिपदिक-प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (मुद्राम्); समासः—शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-आदि (beginning with conch, discus, mace)

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated
• ध्यात्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/absolutive), ‘having meditated’

• आत्मानम्: oneself
• आत्मानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• श्रीधराख्यम्: named Śrīdhara
• श्रीधराख्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीधर (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (आत्मानम्); समासः—श्रीधर-आख्य (श्रीधर इति आख्यः)

• शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम्: bearing conch, discus, and mace
• शङ्खचक्रगदाधरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + गदा (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (कृदन्त; धृ धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (आत्मानम्); कृदन्त—धर (धृ+अच्) ‘bearer’; समासः—शङ्ख-चक्र-गदा-धर (bearing conch, discus, mace)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within a ritual-vidhi context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mudrā and self-dhyāna as Śrīdhara (śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-dhara) cultivate intimate devotional identification and unwavering focus.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā leading to sāyujya-like intimacy (not literal identity claim, but contemplative assimilation) and purification of ego-sense.

Application: After nyāsa, show śaṅkha/cakra/gadā mudrās, then meditate on oneself as the Lord’s form—steady posture, clear visualization, and humility to avoid mere fantasy.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: meditation seat within shrine/inner chamber

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.2 (nyāsa prepares the body for this visualization); Garuda Purana 1.29.6 (āyudha listing aligns with the meditated form)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Śrīdhara
• Śaṅkha
• Cakra
• Gadā

FAQs

What is the importance of displaying mudrās like śaṅkha-cakra-gadā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats mudrā as a ritual aid that aligns the practitioner’s body and intention with Viṣṇu’s divine emblems, preparing the mind for focused dhyāna (meditation).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it points to inner identification with Śrīdhara (Viṣṇu) through meditation—suggesting purification and steadiness of consciousness, which the Garuda Purana connects with auspicious spiritual outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

In daily worship, use symbolic gestures or visual cues (images/mantras) and then shift to quiet meditation—contemplating Viṣṇu’s protective, sustaining presence to cultivate discipline and clarity.