Shloka 19

Garuḍa’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha and the Comprehensive Inquiry into Death-Rites and the Preta’s Journey

Devanagari script

पीतांशुकं चतुर्बाहुं प्रसन्नहसिताननम् / अभ्यर्हणासनासीनं ताभिः शक्तिभिरावृतम्

Transliteration

pītāṃśukaṃ caturbāhuṃ prasannahasitānanam / abhyarhaṇāsanāsīnaṃ tābhiḥ śaktibhirāvṛtam

Translation

Clad in yellow garments, four-armed, with a serene face brightened by a gentle smile—He sat upon a throne worthy of honor, surrounded by those divine powers (Śaktis).

Word by Word

• पीतांशुकम्: wearing yellow garments
• पीतांशुकम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत + अंशुक (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—कर्मधारय (पीतम् अंशुकम् यस्य)

• चतुर्बाहुम्: four-armed
• चतुर्बाहुम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—द्विगु (चत्वारः बाहवः यस्य)

• प्रसन्नहसिताननम्: with a face of serene smile
• प्रसन्नहसिताननम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न + हसित + आनन (प्रातिपदिक-समूह)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—कर्मधारय (प्रसन्नं हसितं च आननं यस्य / प्रसन्नहसितम् आननम् यस्य)

• अभ्यर्हणासनासीनम्: seated on a seat of honor
• अभ्यर्हणासनासीनम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्यर्हण + आसन + आसीन (कृदन्त; आस् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त/क्तवत्-भाव: आसीन); समासः—तत्पुरुष (अभ्यर्हण-आसने आसीनः)

• ताभिः: by those (feminine ones)
• ताभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• शक्तिभिः: by powers/energies
• शक्तिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• आवृतम्: surrounded
• आवृतम्: Karma (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + वृ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Meditation on the Lord’s auspicious form and powers fosters steadiness and surrender; the smiling face signals grace rather than fear.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-upāsanā leading toward inner peace; śakti as inseparable power of Brahman/Īśvara (aiśvarya and anugraha).

Application: Adopt a daily dhyāna: visualize Viṣṇu in pītāmbara with four arms, serene smile, seated on an honored āsana; remember that divine power surrounds and supports dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: throne/āsana in divine court

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.1.18 (face, eyes, ornaments, Śrī-mark)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shaktis

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu’s form described in this Garuda Purana verse?

It presents Vishnu as the serene, sovereign refuge—an auspicious vision that anchors devotion and reassures the seeker amid teachings on death, the subtle journey, and post-death rites.

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

By highlighting the Lord’s calm, protective presence, it frames the broader afterlife instruction with a devotional center—implying that remembrance and surrender to Vishnu support the soul’s passage and purification.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate daily remembrance of the Divine (nāma, prayer, or meditation) and approach rites and ethical living with steadiness, seeing spiritual practice as a stabilizing support in life and at death.