Shloka 109

Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa

Devanagari script

आग्नेये कन्यके नित्यं भक्त्या तु प्रयतः शुभे / गोविन्दाय नमस्कुर्याद्दक्षिणे विष्णवे तथा

Transliteration

āgneye kanyake nityaṃ bhaktyā tu prayataḥ śubhe / govindāya namaskuryāddakṣiṇe viṣṇave tathā

Translation

O auspicious maiden, every day, with devotion and purity, one should offer salutations in the south-east to Govinda; and likewise, in the southern direction, to Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• आग्नेये: in the southeast
• आग्नेये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आग्नेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (direction)

• कन्यके: O young maiden
• कन्यके: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्यका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; संबोधन

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण नपुंसक एकवचन (adverbial accusative), ‘always’

• भक्त्या: with devotion
• भक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; करण

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयबोधक निपात (particle), ‘but/indeed’

• प्रयतः: self-controlled, purified
• प्रयतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रयत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (to implied worshipper)

• शुभे: O auspicious one
• शुभे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; विशेषण (to ‘कन्यके’)

• गोविन्दाय: to Govinda
• गोविन्दाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोविन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; सम्प्रदान

• नमस्कुर्यात्: should bow
• नमस्कुर्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नमस् + कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दक्षिणे: in the south
• दक्षिणे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (direction)

• विष्णवे: to Viṣṇu
• विष्णवे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन; सम्प्रदान

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय, ‘likewise’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra; vocative to 'kanyake' appears as an address within the transmission)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya-bhakti with śauca (purity) and prayatna (careful effort) expressed through directional namaskāra to Govinda and Viṣṇu.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as sādhana for antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi; the Lord’s presence is invoked even in quarters associated with fear, transforming perception.

Application: Adopt a small daily rule: at a fixed time, with clean body/mind, recite ‘Govindāya namaḥ’ and ‘Viṣṇave namaḥ’ while consciously settling attention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space/mandala

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.24.108 (Keśava/Nārāyaṇa/Mādhava); Garuda Purana 3.24.110-111 (Madhusūdana/Trivikrama/Vāmana/Śrīdhara/Hṛṣīkeśa)

Characters & Entities

• Agni
• Govinda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of directional salutations (dik-vandana) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that worship is not only internal devotion but also disciplined practice aligned with sacred directions, invoking specific forms of the Divine (Govinda, Vishnu) for daily spiritual order and protection.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s themes of purity and post-death rites?

Even in the Preta-kanda setting, the text repeatedly emphasizes 'prayataḥ' (purified discipline). Such daily purity and devotion are presented as foundational supports for dharma, which in turn affects one’s post-death journey and ritual efficacy.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a simple daily practice: with cleanliness and focused mind, offer respectful salutations/prayer facing the south-east to Govinda and the south to Vishnu, cultivating regularity, reverence, and self-discipline.