Shloka 56

Śivapūjā-vidhi: Purifications, Sūrya–Graha Mantras, Nyāsa, and Bhūtaśuddhi leading to Śivoham-bhāva

Devanagari script

दक्षैः करैर्वामकैश्च भुजङ्गं चाक्षसूत्रकम् / डमरुकं नीलोत्पलं बीजपूरकमुत्तमम्

Transliteration

dakṣaiḥ karairvāmakaiśca bhujaṅgaṃ cākṣasūtrakam / ḍamarukaṃ nīlotpalaṃ bījapūrakamuttamam

Translation

En las manos derechas y también en las izquierdas sostiene una serpiente y un rosario; porta además el tambor ḍamaru, el loto azul y un excelente fruto de cidra.

Word by Word

• दक्षैः: with the right (hands)
• दक्षैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

• करैः: with hands
• करैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• वामकैः: with the left (hands)
• वामकैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वामक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; विशेषणम्

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

• भुजङ्गम्: a serpent
• भुजङ्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुजङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

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

• अक्षसूत्रकम्: a rosary (string of beads)
• अक्षसूत्रकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्ष + सूत्रक (प्रातिपदिक); अक्षसूत्रक (समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अक्षाणां सूत्रकम्)

• डमरुकम्: a small drum (ḍamaru)
• डमरुकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डमरुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• नीलोत्पलम्: a blue lotus
• नीलोत्पलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नील + उत्पल (प्रातिपदिक); नीलोत्पल (समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (नीलम् उत्पलम्)

• बीजपूरकम्: a citron (bījapūraka)
• बीजपूरकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीजपूरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• उत्तमम्: excellent/supreme
• उत्तमम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (पूर्वपदानां विशेषणरूपेण)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhyāna through precise iconography (mūrti-lakṣaṇa) steadies the mind and makes worship effective.

Vedantic Theme: Eka-citta (one-pointedness) as a support for inner purification (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: Use the described attributes as a visualization checklist during japa and pūjā to reduce distraction and deepen devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.23.57 (Sadāśiva’s tri-śakti and meditation); Garuda Purana 1.23 (Śivādi-pūjā context)

FAQs

What is the importance of these objects (serpent, rosary, ḍamaru, blue lotus, bījapūraka) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as an identifying iconographic description: the deity is recognized through the specific emblems held, which also signal qualities like mastery over time/sound (ḍamaru), purity and auspiciousness (lotus), and sacred power/authority (serpent, rosary).

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

Indirectly: rather than describing the soul’s journey, it supports devotional and ritual context by precisely describing divine attributes used for remembrance, worship, and correct identification in narration.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse for accurate contemplation or worship: visualize the deity with these emblems, and let the rosary/lotus symbolism reinforce disciplined practice and purity of conduct.