Shloka 42
Hari-stuti by Śrī, Brahmā, Vāyu, Sarasvatī, Śeṣa, Garuḍa, Rudra, Vāruṇī and Pārvatī
Humility, Surrender, and the Power of the Name
नैतावता मम वायोश्च नित्यं दुः खातनं नैव संचितनीयम् / एतादृशोहं स्तवनेनु कास्ति शक्तिर्गुणानां मधुसूदन प्रभो / वायोः सकाशाच्च गुणेन हीना संसाररूपे मुक्तरूपे च देव
naitāvatā mama vāyośca nityaṃ duḥ khātanaṃ naiva saṃcitanīyam / etādṛśohaṃ stavanenu kāsti śaktirguṇānāṃ madhusūdana prabho / vāyoḥ sakāśācca guṇena hīnā saṃsārarūpe muktarūpe ca deva
એવું નથી કે હું એકલો, કે વાયુ પણ, નિત્ય આ શાશ્વત દુઃખભાર સંગ્રહ કરતો રહે. હે મધુસૂદન પ્રભુ! હું એવો હોઉં ત્યારે માત્ર સ્તુતિથી તમારા ગુણો વર્ણવવાની મારી પાસે શું શક્તિ છે? હે દેવ! વાયુની સરખામણીમાં હું સામર્થ્યમાં હીન છું—સંસારબંધનમાં પણ અને મુક્તિરૂપે પણ।
Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu (Madhusudana)
Concept: Even exalted beings cannot adequately praise the Lord; speech-power is limited in bondage and even in liberation—His guṇas are inexhaustible.
Vedantic Theme: Anirvacanīyatā of the Absolute’s fullness; nāma-rūpa and vāk are finite instruments before the infinite.
Application: Practice stuti as an offering without anxiety for completeness; cultivate humility and let devotion mature into silent contemplation when words fail.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: frequent motif of Hari’s guṇas being beyond speech and mind (general thematic parallel)
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that even exalted beings feel inadequate to describe Vishnu’s infinite qualities, teaching that true devotion begins with humility rather than pride in one’s abilities.
It contrasts “saṁsāra-rūpa” (bondage) and “mukta-rūpa” (liberation) to show that God’s greatness remains beyond full expression in both states, underscoring Vishnu’s transcendence over all conditions.
Approach prayer, study, and ritual with sincerity and modesty—focus on steady devotion and ethical living rather than claiming complete understanding or spiritual superiority.