Shloka 12

Durgā Pūjā, 108-Nāma Japa, and Protective Homa in Preta-Kalpa Observance

Devanagari script

असिखेटान्वितौ हस्तौ गदादण्डयुतौ परौ / शरचापयुतौ चान्यौ खड्गमुद्ररसंयुतौ

Transliteration

asikheṭānvitau hastau gadādaṇḍayutau parau / śaracāpayutau cānyau khaḍgamudrarasaṃyutau

Translation

Two hands are equipped with a sword and a shield; two others bear a mace (gadā) and a staff. Another pair holds arrows and a bow, and the remaining hands are furnished with sword-mudrās and emblems of weapons—fully armed in every way.

Word by Word

• असिखेटान्वितौ: endowed with sword and shield
• असिखेटान्वितौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असि + खेट + अन्वित (कृदन्त; अन्वि+इ/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्; ‘asi-kheṭa-anvita’ = endowed with sword and shield

• हस्तौ: two hands
• हस्तौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• गदादण्डयुतौ: bearing mace and staff
• गदादण्डयुतौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गदा + दण्ड + युत (कृदन्त; यु/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्

• परौ: the other two
• परौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; ‘the other two’

• शरचापयुतौ: bearing arrow and bow
• शरचापयुतौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शर + चाप + युत (कृदन्त; यु/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• अन्यौ: two other (hands)
• अन्यौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; ‘two others’

• खड्गमुद्ररसंयुतौ: bearing sword, mudrā (gesture), and rasa
• खड्गमुद्ररसंयुतौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खड्ग + मुद्रा + रस + संयुत (कृदन्त; सम्+यु/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्; ‘joined with sword, seal/gesture, and rasa’

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Contemplation of the deity as fully armed symbolizes removal of obstacles and protection of the devotee.

Vedantic Theme: Saguṇa form as psychological and spiritual support; divine śakti as the inner capacity for courage and discrimination.

Application: In meditation, visualize specific attributes (sword/shield/mace/bow) as cutting fear, shielding mind, stabilizing resolve, and directing intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: inner-vision (dhyāna) / battlefield-protective visualization

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.38.11 (arm-count options); Garuda Purana 1.38.13 (additional implements: conch, bell, banner, axe, discus, drum, mirror)

FAQs

What is the importance of weapon symbolism in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes a fully-armed, protective power—weapons symbolize the enforcement of dharma and the removal of obstacles and fear.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the cosmic order as guarded and regulated; such armed forms represent the forces that uphold justice and guide beings through lawful consequence.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat ‘weapons’ as inner disciplines—ethical restraint, courage, and clarity—used to protect oneself from harmful actions and to uphold dharma in daily life.