Shloka 15

Śiva-taught Mantra-Weapons, Mudrās, and Rakṣā-Rites

Removal of Kīlaka; Protection from Nāga, Viṣa, Graha, and Storms

Devanagari script

ॐ नमः / इन्द्रवज्रं करे ध्यात्वा दुष्टमेघादिवारणम् / विष शत्रुगणा भूता नश्यन्ते वज्रमुद्रया

Transliteration

oṃ namaḥ / indravajraṃ kare dhyātvā duṣṭameghādivāraṇam / viṣa śatrugaṇā bhūtā naśyante vajramudrayā

Translation

Om, salutations. En méditant le vajra d’Indra dans sa main—qui repousse les nuées mauvaises et autres—le poison, les bandes d’ennemis et les esprits malfaisants sont détruits par la mudrā du Vajra.

Word by Word

• ॐ: Om
• ॐ: Mantra-pada
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (प्रणव/अव्यय)
• Form: प्रणव-स्वरः, अव्यय

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Mantra-pada
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नमः-शब्दः, अव्यय

• इन्द्रवज्रम्: Indra’s thunderbolt
• इन्द्रवज्रम्: Karma (Object of ध्यात्वा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्र + वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (इन्द्रस्य वज्रम्)

• करे: in the hand
• करे: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• ध्यात्वा: having meditated/visualized
• ध्यात्वा: Purvakala-kriya (prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), ‘having meditated/visualized’

• दुष्टमेघादिवारणम्: warding off evil clouds etc.
• दुष्टमेघादिवारणम्: Karma (Object; intended effect)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट + मेघ + आदि + वारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (दुष्टमेघादीनां वारणम्)

• विष: poison
• विष: Karta (Subject; item that perishes)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शत्रुगणाः: groups of enemies
• शत्रुगणाः: Karta (Subject; item that perishes)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत्रु + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (शत्रूणां गणाः)

• भूताः: spirits/beings
• भूताः: Karta (Subject; item that perishes)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• नश्यन्ते: perish/are destroyed
• नश्यन्ते: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• वज्रमुद्रया: by the vajra-mudrā (thunderbolt gesture)
• वज्रमुद्रया: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र + मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (वज्रस्य मुद्रा)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhyāna (visualization) combined with mudrā functions as an operative ritual technology to dispel obstacles—external (storm, enemies) and subtle (bhūtas).

Vedantic Theme: Mind as instrument: saṅkalpa and focused attention (ekāgratā) channel power; disciplined action transforms fear into agency.

Application: Use embodied focus (breath + hand gesture + visualization) to stabilize the mind under threat; pair inner clarity with outer protective measures.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sequences of mudrā-prayoga and rakṣā-mantras in the same chapter cluster

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Vajra
• Bhūtas

FAQs

What is the importance of the Vajra Mudra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Vajra Mudra as a protective ritual act: by visualizing Indra’s vajra and forming the mudrā, one is said to neutralize poison, repel hostile forces, and dispel bhūtas (malevolent spirits).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; rather, it belongs to the practical, protective-ritual layer of the text—meant to remove obstacles and harmful influences that can disturb dharmic life and rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that disciplined visualization, prayerful intent, and dharmic conduct are traditionally paired with ritual gestures for steadiness and protection—especially when performing sacred duties or facing fear and hostility.