Shloka 2

Gāyatrī-nyāsa, Pāda-bheda, and Purificatory Power in Sādhana

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मशीर्षा रुद्रशिखा विष्णोर्हृदयसंश्रिता / विनियोगैकनयना कात्यायनसगोत्रजा

Transliteration

brahmaśīrṣā rudraśikhā viṣṇorhṛdayasaṃśritā / viniyogaikanayanā kātyāyanasagotrajā

Translation

She bears Brahmā as her head and Rudra as her crest; she abides within the heart of Viṣṇu. In viniyoga she is single-eyed—wholly intent—and she is of the Kātyāyana lineage.

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मशीर्षा: having Brahmā as (her) head
• ब्रह्मशीर्षा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः शीर्षम् → ब्रह्मशीर्षा) — Feminine, Nominative singular; genitive tatpurusha

• रुद्रशिखा: having Rudra as (her) crest/topknot
• रुद्रशिखा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + शिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (रुद्रस्य शिखा) — Feminine, Nominative singular; genitive tatpurusha

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन — Masculine, Genitive singular

• हृदयसंश्रिता: residing in the heart
• हृदयसंश्रिता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृदय (प्रातिपदिक) + सम्-श्रि (धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः; ‘संश्रित’ (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, past passive participle) — Feminine, Nominative singular; ‘resorted/located in the heart’

• विनियोगैकनयना: single-eyed in application/ritual employment
• विनियोगैकनयना: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनियोग (प्रातिपदिक) + एक (प्रातिपदिक) + नयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (विनियोगे एकं नयनम्/नयना) — Feminine, Nominative singular; tatpurusha compound

• कात्यायनसगोत्रजा: born in the same gotra as Kātyāyana
• कात्यायनसगोत्रजा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कात्यायन (प्रातिपदिक) + स (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + गोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः; ‘जा’ (जन्/जॄ धातु, क्तिन्/स्त्रीप्रत्ययान्त अर्थे ‘born’) — Feminine, Nominative singular; ‘born in the same lineage’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Deity-identification and contemplative visualization: the mantra-devatā is to be known through her cosmic limbs and her seat in Viṣṇu’s heart; single-pointed viniyoga (application) is emphasized.

Vedantic Theme: Antaryāmin (the indwelling divine) and upāsanā leading to citta-śuddhi (purification of mind).

Application: In japa/nyāsa, visualize the Devī with Brahmā as head and Rudra as crest, and meditate on her presence in Viṣṇu’s heart; keep intention (viniyoga) single-pointed.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.35.3-6 (Gāyatrī-japa, pāda-structure, nyāsa, bodily placements)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Rudra (Shiva)
• Vishnu
• Katyayana (gotra/lineage)

FAQs

What is the importance of viniyoga in Garuda Purana mantras?

This verse highlights viniyoga as one-pointed, purposeful application—implying that a mantra/hymn is effective when employed with correct intent, focus, and prescribed usage.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by invoking Brahmā, Rudra, and Viṣṇu as integrated divine principles, it frames spiritual protection and inner alignment (abiding in Viṣṇu’s heart) as supportive to dharma and liberation-oriented living.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a contemplative recitation for steadiness and disciplined practice—cultivating ‘eka-nayanā’ (one-pointed attention) in prayer, study, and ethical conduct.