Shloka 9

Viṣṇu-pūjāvidhi: Śuddhi, Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Āsana-devatā Pūjā, Upacāras, and Stotra

Devanagari script

ततो ध्यायेत्परं विष्णु त्दृत्कोटरसमाश्रितम् / शङ्खचक्रसमायुक्तं कुन्देन्दुधवलं हरिम्

Transliteration

tato dhyāyetparaṃ viṣṇu tdṛtkoṭarasamāśritam / śaṅkhacakrasamāyuktaṃ kundendudhavalaṃ harim

Translation

Then one should meditate on the Supreme Viṣṇu, abiding in the hollow of the heart—Hari, radiant white like jasmine and the moon, bearing the conch and the discus.

Word by Word

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण) = indeclinable adverb; अर्थे: अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• ध्यायेत्: should meditate
• ध्यायेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्; प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; धातु: ध्यै (to meditate)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• विष्णुम्: Vishnu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचनम्

• दृक्-कोटर-समाश्रितम्: abiding in the eye-cavity (as the inner presence)
• दृक्-कोटर-समाश्रितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दृक् (प्रातिपदिक) + कोटर (प्रातिपदिक) + समाश्रित (कृदन्त; सम्+आ+श्रि धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; कृदन्त-विशेषणम् (क्त-प्रत्ययः); समासः: तत्पुरुषः (दृक्-कोटरस्य समाश्रितम् = abiding in the eye-socket/cavity)

• शङ्ख-चक्र-समायुक्तम्: endowed with conch and discus
• शङ्ख-चक्र-समायुक्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शङ्ख (प्रातिपदिक) + चक्र (प्रातिपदिक) + समायुक्त (कृदन्त; सम्+आ+युज् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त-विशेषणम्; समासः: तत्पुरुषः (शङ्खचक्राभ्यां समायुक्तम्)

• कुन्द-इन्दु-धवलम्: white like jasmine and the moon
• कुन्द-इन्दु-धवलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्दु (प्रातिपदिक) + धवल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्; समासः: कर्मधारयः (कुन्द इव इन्दु इव धवलम् = white like jasmine and moon)

• हरिम्: Hari
• हरिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचनम्; विष्णोः पर्यायः

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya, as part of the teaching narrative)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Meditation on the Supreme Viṣṇu as indwelling Lord (antaryāmin) with iconic attributes (śaṅkha-cakra) and pure radiance.

Vedantic Theme: Antaryāmin-brahman and upāsanā leading to citta-śuddhi and steadiness (ekāgratā) as a support for higher realization.

Application: Daily japa-dhyāna: visualize Viṣṇu in the heart, white and cooling like moonlight, holding conch and discus; use as a calming focus before sleep or at dawn.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: inner sacred space (microcosmic shrine)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.31.10-13 (continuation of dhyāna/nyāsa/ātma-pūjā sequence)

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Hari

FAQs

What is the importance of Viṣṇu-dhyāna in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse presents Viṣṇu-meditation as a direct inner practice: remembering the Supreme Hari within the heart, with clear iconographic focus (conch and discus), supporting steadiness of mind and liberation-oriented devotion.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By directing attention inward to the indwelling Supreme in the heart, it emphasizes that spiritual progress is secured through sustained remembrance and contemplation of Viṣṇu—an inner refuge that transcends fear and binds the mind to mokṣa-oriented awareness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice daily dhyāna by visualizing Viṣṇu in the heart-space—bright, calm, and holding śaṅkha and cakra—using the imagery to steady the mind, cultivate devotion, and align conduct with dharma.