Shloka 5

Durgā Pūjā, 108-Nāma Japa, and Protective Homa in Preta-Kalpa Observance

Devanagari script

शक्तिमुद्ररशूलानि कपालशरकाङ्कुशान् / वज्र चक्रं शलाकां च अष्टादशभुजां स्मरेत्

Transliteration

śaktimudraraśūlāni kapālaśarakāṅkuśān / vajra cakraṃ śalākāṃ ca aṣṭādaśabhujāṃ smaret

Translation

Debe meditarse en Ella como de dieciocho brazos, portando la lanza śakti, la mudrā, el tridente, el cráneo, las flechas, el aguijón (aṅkuśa), el rayo (vajra), el disco (cakra) y la vara (śalākā).

Word by Word

• śakti-mudra-raśūlāni: spear, seal/gesture, and trident(s)
• śakti-mudra-raśūlāni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + mudrā (प्रातिपदिक) + raśūla/triśūla (प्रातिपदिक; here ‘raśūla’ as transmitted)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः द्वन्द्वः (शक्तिः च मुद्रा च (र)शूलानि च)

• kapāla-śara-kāṅkuśān: skulls, arrows, and goads
• kapāla-śara-kāṅkuśān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapāla (प्रातिपदिक) + śara (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkuśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः द्वन्द्वः (कपालानि च शराः च अङ्कुशाः च)

• vajram: thunderbolt
• vajram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• cakram: discus
• cakram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• śalākām: rod/pin
• śalākām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śalākā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• aṣṭādaśa-bhujām: the eighteen-armed (goddess)
• aṣṭādaśa-bhujām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭādaśa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः द्विगुः (अष्टादश भुजाः यस्याः सा)

• smaret: should remember/meditate on
• smaret: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Smaraṇa/dhyāna of the Devī’s complete śakti through her eighteen-armed form and emblematic weapons.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā as a means to steady the mind; śakti as īśvara-vibhūti (divine power-manifestation).

Application: Before mantra-japa, mentally ‘install’ each āyudha (śakti-spear, mudrā, triśūla, kapāla, arrows, aṅkuśa, vajra, cakra, śalākā) to frame the practice as protection and obstacle-removal.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.38.4 (preceding list of implements); Garuda Purana 1.38.6 (transition to mantra and japa)

FAQs

What is the importance of meditating on an eighteen-armed Goddess in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes dhyāna (visualization) of a multi-armed Devi form, where each emblem signifies a protective and purifying power—supporting ritual focus and inner steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes disciplined remembrance (smaret) and sacred visualization, practices that purify the mind and strengthen dharma—foundational supports for a favorable post-death journey in the Purāṇic framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a short dhyāna prompt: calmly visualize the Goddess with these symbols to cultivate courage, restraint, and protection from harmful impulses before performing prayers or ethical commitments.