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Shloka 16

Viṣṇu-dhyāna: Saguṇa Iconography, Nirguṇa Framework, and the Vāsudeva Insight

Devanagari script

वासुदेवो जगद्धाता ध्येयो विष्णुर्मुमुक्षुभिः / वासुदेवो ऽहमस्मीति आत्मा ध्येयो हरिहरिः

Transliteration

vāsudevo jagaddhātā dhyeyo viṣṇurmumukṣubhiḥ / vāsudevo 'hamasmīti ātmā dhyeyo harihariḥ

Translation

Vāsudeva is the sustainer of the universe; for those who seek liberation, Viṣṇu is to be meditated upon. One should meditate on the Self with the conviction, “I am Vāsudeva”—He who is, in essence, both Hari (Viṣṇu) and Hara (Śiva).

Word by Word
वासुदेवःVāsudeva
वासुदेवः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootवासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
जगद्धाताsupporter/creator of the world
जगद्धाता:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootजगत् + धातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जगतः धाता)
ध्येयःto be meditated upon
ध्येयः:
Karya (Object of injunction/कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Root√ध्यै (धातु) + य (कृदन्त)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कृदन्तः—यत्/तव्यत्-अर्थे ‘ध्यानयोग्यः’ (to be meditated upon)
विष्णुःViṣṇu
विष्णुः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootविष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
मुमुक्षुभिःby the seekers of liberation
मुमुक्षुभिः:
Karana (Agent-instrument/करण)
TypeNoun
Rootमु + √मुच् (धातु) + सन् (इच्छार्थक) → मुमुक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; सन्नन्त-धातुजन्य ‘मुमुक्षु’ (one desiring liberation)
वासुदेवःVāsudeva
वासुदेवः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootवासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
अहम्I
अहम्:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootअहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
Formउत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन
अस्मिam
अस्मि:
Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Root√अस् (धातु)
Formलट्-लकार (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्
इतिthus
इति:
Sambandha (Quotation marker/सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति (अव्यय)
Formउद्धरण/इत्यर्थक-अव्ययम् (quotative particle)
आत्माthe Self
आत्मा:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootआत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन
ध्येयःto be meditated upon
ध्येयः:
Karya (Object of injunction/कर्म)
TypeAdjective
Root√ध्यै (धातु) + य (कृदन्त)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘ध्यानयोग्यः’
हरिहरिःHari and Hari (the two Haris)
हरिहरिः:
Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootहरि + हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्वः (हरिश्च हरिश्च)
Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Meditate on Viṣṇu/Vāsudeva for liberation; realize the Self through ‘Vāsudevo’ham’—a unitive contemplation affirming Hari-Hara non-difference in essence.

Vedantic Theme: Ahaṃgraha-upāsanā tending toward Advaita: identity of ātman with the supreme (interpretable as non-dual realization or highest devotional union).

Application: Daily meditation: (1) dhyāna on Vāsudeva as jagaddhātā, (2) inward inquiry ‘Who am I?’ anchored in the mahāvākya-like resolve ‘Vāsudevo’ham’, (3) cultivate non-sectarian reverence (Hari-Hara-aikya) and reduce egoic separations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.92.12 (sarvātmā, sarvarūpa); Garuda Purana 1.92.15 (immanence in elements)

Characters & Entities
V
Vasudeva
V
Vishnu
H
Harihara

FAQs

This verse states that liberation-seekers should meditate on Vāsudeva/Viṣṇu as the cosmic sustainer, making God-remembrance the direct support for mokṣa-oriented life.

It points to inner realization rather than external travel: the soul’s freedom is linked to contemplating the Self as non-separate from the Supreme (“Vāsudevo’ham”), which cuts bondage at its root.

Adopt a daily practice of Viṣṇu-nāma/japa and self-inquiry, cultivating the steady conviction that the indwelling Self is aligned with the Divine, reducing fear, ego, and harmful actions.

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