Shloka 8

Viṣṇu-pūjāvidhi: Śuddhi, Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Āsana-devatā Pūjā, Upacāras, and Stotra

Devanagari script

न्यासं कृत्वात्मनो मुद्रां दर्शयेद्विजितात्मवान्

Transliteration

nyāsaṃ kṛtvātmano mudrāṃ darśayedvijitātmavān

Translation

Après avoir accompli le nyāsa, celui qui se maîtrise doit montrer la mudrā (le geste de la main) qui lui est prescrite.

Word by Word

• न्यासम्: nyāsa
• न्यासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययकृदन्त; पूर्वक्रिया

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मुद्राम्: mudrā (hand-gesture)
• मुद्राम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दर्शयेत्: should show
• दर्शयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• विजितात्मवान्: one who has conquered the self
• विजितात्मवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विजित + आत्मन् + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य आत्मा विजितः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, typical Garuḍa Purāṇa dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vijitātmā (self-controlled) is prerequisite: ritual efficacy is tied to inner discipline; mudrā embodies intention and containment of energy/attention.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and ekāgratā as supports for upāsanā; outer act mirrors inner restraint.

Application: After preparatory practices, pause, steady breath, and hold the mudrā with mindful attention; cultivate self-control (speech, senses, habits) to support consistent sādhana.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.31.4-7 (nyāsa sequence leading to mudrā)

FAQs

What is the importance of nyāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats nyāsa as a prerequisite purification/installation step—one establishes mantra-power in the body-mind before proceeding with the ritual act (such as showing the appropriate mudrā).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes inner discipline (vijitātmavān). In Garuḍa Purāṇa’s broader teaching, ritual efficacy and spiritual progress depend on self-mastery rather than mechanical performance alone.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before japa or pūjā, pause for a brief nyāsa-like centering (mentally placing the mantra in the heart) and keep the practice guided by self-control and steadiness rather than haste.