Shloka 10

Śālagrāma-lakṣaṇa: Viṣṇu Stotra, Vyūha/Avatāra Identification, and Temple-Fruition

Devanagari script

साब्जशङ्खगदाचक्र(पुरुषोत्तममूर्तये) / नमो(ऽधोक्षजरूपाय) गदाशङ्खारिपद्मिने

Transliteration

sābjaśaṅkhagadācakra(puruṣottamamūrtaye) / namo('dhokṣajarūpāya) gadāśaṅkhāripadmine

Translation

Salutations to the Supreme Person, Puruṣottama, whose form bears the lotus, conch, mace, and discus. Salutations to Adhokṣaja, the Transcendent One, whose form is adorned with the mace, conch, discus, and lotus.

Word by Word

• sa-abja-śaṅkha-gadā-cakra: with lotus, conch, mace, and discus
• sa-abja-śaṅkha-gadā-cakra: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (स- ‘सह’) + abja/padma (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (सम्बोधनार्थे/विशेषण); तत्पुरुषः—‘अब्जशङ्खगदाचक्रैः सह’

• puruṣottama-mūrtaye: to the form of Puruṣottama
• puruṣottama-mūrtaye: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣottama (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘पुरुषोत्तमस्य मूर्तिः’

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Prayojaka/Discourse (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; नमस्कारार्थक-निपातः

• adhokṣaja-rūpāya: to the form of Adhokṣaja
• adhokṣaja-rūpāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhokṣaja (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग ‘रूप’ आश्रितः; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘अधोक्षजस्य रूपम्’ (to the form of Adhokṣaja); sandhi: namaḥ + adhokṣajarūpāya → namo'dhokṣajarūpāya

• gadā-śaṅkha-ari-padmine: to the one possessing mace, conch, discus, and lotus
• gadā-śaṅkha-ari-padmine: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + ari (प्रातिपदिक; अरि=चक्र) + padmin (प्रातिपदिक; पद्मिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘गदां शङ्खं अरिं पद्मं च यस्य/येन’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressed/invoked as Puruṣottama/Adhokṣaja)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adhokṣaja: the Lord is beyond sensory grasp yet approachable through devotion; Purushottama as the supreme refuge—salutation becomes surrender (śaraṇāgati).

Vedantic Theme: Paramātman as transcendent (niratiśaya) yet immanent; bhakti as a direct means to grace, culminating in liberation-oriented orientation.

Application: Use as a closing verse in daily worship to shift from form-meditation to surrender: ‘I cannot grasp You by senses; I bow and rely on You.’

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.45.6-9 (build-up through names culminating in Purushottama/Adhokṣaja)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Puruṣottama
• Adhokṣaja

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Puruṣottama/Adhokṣaja in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a protective and purifying salutation: remembering Vishnu as Puruṣottama (Supreme Person) and Adhokṣaja (beyond senses) centers the mind on the highest refuge, a recurring Garuda Purana emphasis for spiritual steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it points the soul toward divine refuge through remembrance and surrender. In Garuda Purana’s broader teaching, such devotion supports right conduct and inner clarity, which are foundational for a favorable post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a daily or situational mantra of refuge—especially during fear, grief, or ritual observances—by contemplating Vishnu’s four emblems as symbols of purity, protection, and spiritual order.