Shloka 8

The Procedure of Worship (Śrīdharapūjā-vidhi)

Devanagari script

ॐ ह्रीं श्रीधराय त्रैलोक्यमोहनाय विष्णवे नमः आगच्छ

Transliteration

oṃ hrīṃ śrīdharāya trailokyamohanāya viṣṇave namaḥ āgaccha

Translation

Om. Hrīṃ. Salutations to Viṣṇu—Śrīdhara, the Enchanter of the three worlds. Come forth; be present here.

Word by Word

• oṃ: Oṃ
• oṃ: Sambandha (Mantric particle/मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: oṃ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (प्रणव)

• hrīṃ: hrīṃ (seed syllable)
• hrīṃ: Sambandha (Mantric seed/बीज)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hrīṃ (अव्यय/बीज)
• Form: अव्यय (बीजमन्त्र)

• śrīdharāya: to Śrīdhara
• śrīdharāya: Sampradana (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrīdhara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• trailokya-mohanāya: to the enchanter of the three worlds
• trailokya-mohanāya: Sampradana (Dative qualifier/सम्प्रदान-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tri + loka + mohana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः ‘त्रैलोक्यस्य मोहनः’ (विशेषणम् विष्णवे/श्रीधराय)

• viṣṇave: to Viṣṇu
• viṣṇave: Sampradana (Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Sambandha (Salutation particle/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (नमस्कारार्थक)

• āgaccha: come
• āgaccha: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā + gam (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; धातु: गम्; उपसर्ग: आ

Speaker

Narrator (invocatory mantra within the text; not direct dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Direct āvāhana through mantra: the Lord who enchants the three worlds is invited to be present here and now; devotion is immediate and personal.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-mantra as upāsanā: concentrated sound-symbol (bīja + nāma) gathers the mind into one-pointedness (ekāgratā) and opens to grace.

Application: Use a short invocation before japa/meditation: recite the mantra slowly with clear pronunciation, visualize Viṣṇu’s presence, then proceed with offerings or silent remembrance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: invocation point at the altar/heart-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.30.5 (āgacchata invitation); Garuda Purana 1.30.7 (Hari-āvāhana and sin-destroying mantras)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Śrīdhara)

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Vishnu in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as an opening invocation, aligning the recitation with Vishnu’s protective and auspicious presence, which is central to Garuda Purana’s ritual and dharmic instruction.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by invoking Vishnu (Śrīdhara), it frames the teachings that follow under divine protection and right orientation, which the text associates with dharma and auspicious outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a short invocation before study, japa, or ritual reading—especially when seeking clarity, protection, and a sattvic mindset.