Shloka 33

Devanagari script

महालक्ष्मीर्मातरश्च पद्महस्तो (दिवाकरः) / गजास्यश्च गणः स्कन्दः षण्मुखोनेकधा गुणाः

Transliteration

mahālakṣmīrmātaraśca padmahasto (divākaraḥ) / gajāsyaśca gaṇaḥ skandaḥ ṣaṇmukhonekadhā guṇāḥ

Translation

Mahalakṣmī, the Divine Mothers, (Divākara—the Sun) with lotus in hand; the elephant-faced Lord Gaṇeśa, the hosts of Gaṇas, and Skanda—the six-faced one—(are invoked), together with virtues manifest in many forms.

Word by Word

• महालक्ष्मीः: Mahālakṣmī
• महालक्ष्मीः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मातरः: mothers (divine mothers)
• मातरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• पद्महस्तः: lotus-handed
• पद्महस्तः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• दिवाकरः: Divākara (the Sun)
• दिवाकरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिवा (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• गजास्यः: elephant-faced
• गजास्यः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + आस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• गणः: the troop (gaṇa)
• गणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्कन्दः: Skanda
• स्कन्दः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्कन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• षण्मुखः: six-faced
• षण्मुखः: Visheshana (Adjectival modifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षट् (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अनेकधा: in many ways
• अनेकधा: Kriya-Visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनेकधा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• गुणाः: qualities
• गुणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra) [contextual attribution]

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Invoking multiple devata-shaktis for integrated well-being—prosperity (Lakshmi), illumination (Surya), obstacle-removal (Ganesha), valor/discipline (Skanda), and nurturing powers (Mothers).

Vedantic Theme: Ishvara’s functional manifestations: one divine order expressed as varied deities/virtues (guna) supporting dharmic life.

Application: In daily worship, include salutations to Lakshmi for dhana-dharma alignment, Surya for clarity/energy, Ganesha for obstacle removal, Skanda for courage and self-mastery; cultivate ‘guna’ as lived virtues.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual/visualization

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana’s lists of devata-arcana and protective invocations; thematic continuity into the following vastu-focused chapter

Characters & Entities

• Mahalakshmi
• Mothers (Matrikas)
• Divakara (Surya)
• Gajasya (Ganesha)
• Ganas
• Skanda (Kartikeya/Shanmukha)

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking these deities in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as an auspicious invocation—calling protective and empowering divine forces (Lakshmi, Mātṛkās, Surya, Ganesha, Skanda) to support dharmic action and remove obstacles in ritual or spiritual practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: rather than detailing the soul’s post-death journey, it emphasizes preparatory sacred support—invoking deities associated with protection, strength, and auspiciousness, which frames the broader teachings on dharma and right conduct that influence one’s destiny.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a brief invocation before prayer, śrāddha/pinda-related rites, or any dharmic undertaking—remembering that spiritual progress is strengthened by cultivating ‘guṇas’ (virtues) alongside devotion.