Shloka 19

गर्भ-व्यवस्था, देवकी-गर्भ-स्तुति (गर्भस्तुतिः), जगदन्तर्गत-हरि-प्रतिपादनम्

Devanagari script

त्वं स्वाहा त्वं स्वधा विद्या सुधा त्वं ज्योतिरम्बरे त्वं सर्वलोकरक्षार्थम् अवतीर्णा महीतले

Transliteration

tvaṃ svāhā tvaṃ svadhā vidyā sudhā tvaṃ jyotirambare tvaṃ sarvalokarakṣārtham avatīrṇā mahītale

Translation

You are Svāhā, the sacred utterance that bears offerings to the gods; you are Svadhā, the sanctifying invocation that sustains the ancestors. You are knowledge itself and the nectar of immortality; you are the radiance that shines in the heavens. For the protection of all worlds, you have descended upon the earth.

Word by Word

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन; मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम

• स्वाहा: Svāhā (oblation-call)
• स्वाहा: Apposition (Samanadhikarana/समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वाहा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (यज्ञाहुति-मन्त्रशब्दः)

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्वधा: Svadhā (ancestral offering-call)
• स्वधा: Apposition (Samanadhikarana/समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नाम (पितृ-तर्पण-मन्त्रशब्दः)

• विद्या: knowledge
• विद्या: Apposition (Samanadhikarana/समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुधा: nectar; ambrosia
• सुधा: Apposition (Samanadhikarana/समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुधा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ज्योतिः: light
• ज्योतिः: Apposition (Samanadhikarana/समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अम्बरे: in the sky
• अम्बरे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सर्वलोकरक्षार्थम्: for the protection of all worlds
• सर्वलोकरक्षार्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; चतुर्थी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-समासः (रक्षायै अर्थः = रक्षार्थम्), तत्र ‘सर्वलोक’ षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां लोकानाम्)

• अवतीर्णा: descended, incarnated
• अवतीर्णा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव-√तॄ (धातु) → अवतीर्ण (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि-प्रयोगः; विशेषणम् (त्वम्—स्त्रीलिङ्ग-सम्बोधन/स्त्रीदेवता)

• महीतले: on the surface of the earth
• महीतले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक) + तल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (महेः तलम्)

Speaker

A devotee/attendant voice in the Krishna narrative (stuti praising the divine descent), within the Parasara–Maitreya narration frame

Avatara Context

Avatara: Krishna

Purpose: The divine descends to earth for the protection of all worlds and the restoration of dharma.

Leela: Loka-rakshana

Dharma Restored: Cosmic protection and the re-sanctification of Vedic order (yajña/pitṛ rites) alongside righteous living

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The addressed divine is praised as the power within Vedic rites (svāhā/svadhā), as knowledge and immortality, and as descending for universal protection.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma

Application: Integrate devotion with daily duties—offer actions as worship, honor ancestors, seek knowledge, and align life with protection of others.

Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s śakti is celebrated through functional manifestations (rite, knowledge, radiance) while remaining one supreme protector—unity expressing itself as many auspicious modes.

Vaishnava Theology

Vishnu Form: Vasudeva (devotional)

Bhakti Type: shanta

Lakshmi Presence: Sri (fortune)

Jagat Karana: Yes

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Krishna
• Svaha
• Svadha
• Pitrs (ancestors)
• Devas

FAQs

What is the significance of Svāhā and Svadhā in this Vishnu Purana verse?

The verse identifies the Divine (Krishna/Vishnu) as the inner essence of Vedic sacrifice (Svāhā) and ancestral rites (Svadhā), implying that all sacred offerings ultimately reach and depend upon Him.

How does Sage Parāśara explain the purpose of an avatāra here?

Through this hymn-like statement in the narrative, the descent is framed as sarva-loka-rakṣā—an incarnation undertaken to uphold dharma and protect the cosmic order across all worlds.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this context?

Vishnu (manifest as Krishna) is presented as the Supreme Reality pervading ritual, knowledge, and celestial light, making devotion to Him the foundation of both worldly order and spiritual liberation.