Shloka 4

Mantra-Nyāsa and Elemental Maṇḍalas: Nāga Invocation and Garuḍa–Bhairava Dhyāna for Protection

Devanagari script

सषडङ्गः शिवः प्रोक्तो हृच्छिरश्च शिखा क्रमात् / कवचं नेत्रमस्त्रं स्यान्न्यासः स्वस्थलसंस्थितिः

Transliteration

saṣaḍaṅgaḥ śivaḥ prokto hṛcchiraśca śikhā kramāt / kavacaṃ netramastraṃ syānnyāsaḥ svasthalasaṃsthitiḥ

Translation

Se dice que Śiva está dotado de los seis miembros (nyāsa): en orden, el corazón, la cabeza y la śikhā (moño); luego el kavaca (armadura), el netra (ojo) y el astra (arma). Este nyāsa es establecerse en el propio asiento correcto, la firmeza interior.

Word by Word

• स-षडङ्गः: having six parts
• स-षडङ्गः: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + षडङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक: षट् + अङ्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (षडङ्गानि यस्य सः = having six limbs/parts)

• शिवः: Śiva
• शिवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• प्रोक्तः: is declared
• प्रोक्तः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त/PPP, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मणि (has been declared)

• हृत्: heart
• हृत्: Karta (Enumerated item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हृत्/हृद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समुच्चयपद (अङ्ग-नाम)

• शिरः: head
• शिरः: Karta (Enumerated item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समुच्चयपद (अङ्ग-नाम)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• शिखा: topknot/crest
• शिखा: Karta (Enumerated item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिखा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समुच्चयपद (अङ्ग-नाम)

• क्रमात्: in sequence
• क्रमात्: Sambandha (Manner)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे (adverbial: in order/ क्रमशः)

• कवचम्: armor
• कवचम्: Karta (Enumerated item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कवच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समुच्चयपद (अङ्ग-नाम)

• नेत्रम्: eye
• नेत्रम्: Karta (Enumerated item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समुच्चयपद (अङ्ग-नाम)

• अस्त्रम्: weapon
• अस्त्रम्: Karta (Enumerated item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समुच्चयपद (अङ्ग-नाम)

• स्यात्: should be/is to be
• स्यात्: Kriya (Copula/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• न्यासः: nyāsa (ritual placement)
• न्यासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• स्वस्थलसंस्थितिः: establishment in its proper place
• स्वस्थलसंस्थितिः: Karta (Predicate nominative/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थल (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्थिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (स्वस्थले संस्थितिः = placement in one’s own proper place)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nyāsa as internalization: placing mantra-limbs on the body to establish protective and centered awareness

Vedantic Theme: Antaryāga (inner worship) as a bridge from ritual to contemplation; body-mind as instrument, not self

Application: Before japa/ritual, perform ṣaḍaṅga-nyāsa with attention; use it as a mindfulness protocol to settle posture, breath, and focus.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: microcosmic ritual space (deha-maṇḍala)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana mantra-kalpa passages using kavaca/astra/nyāsa terminology (general)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the importance of ṣaḍaṅga (six-limbed) nyāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames ṣaḍaṅga-nyāsa as a structured installation of sacred power in six stations (heart, head, topknot, armor, eye, weapon), making the practitioner inwardly “established” and protected for mantra practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing inner establishment and protective ritual alignment, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that disciplined dharma and sacred rites prepare and safeguard the subtle being through transitions such as death and afterlife journeys.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach prayer or japa with orderly preparation—center the heart and mind, invoke protection (kavaca), clarity (netra), and resolve (astra)—so practice becomes steady rather than distracted.