Shloka 49
Hari-stuti by Śrī, Brahmā, Vāyu, Sarasvatī, Śeṣa, Garuḍa, Rudra, Vāruṇī and Pārvatī
Humility, Surrender, and the Power of the Name
सर्वान्न बुद्धिसहितस्य हरे मुरारे का शक्तिरस्ति वचने मम मूढबुद्धेः / वाण्या सदा शतगुणेन विहीनमेनं मां पाहि चेश मम चायतनं च दत्त्वा
sarvānna buddhisahitasya hare murāre kā śaktirasti vacane mama mūḍhabuddheḥ / vāṇyā sadā śataguṇena vihīnamenaṃ māṃ pāhi ceśa mama cāyatanaṃ ca dattvā
હે હરિ, હે મુરારી—સર્વજ્ઞ અને પરિપૂર્ણ બુદ્ધિથી યુક્ત! મારી મૂઢ બુદ્ધિની વાણીમાં શું શક્તિ છે? હું અભિવ્યક્તિમાં સદા સો ગણો ઓછો છું. હે ઈશ, મને રક્ષા કરો અને મારી વાણી માટે યોગ્ય આધાર (આશ્રય) પણ આપો.
Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu
Concept: Human speech is intrinsically limited; effective praise and right expression require īśvara-anugraha (grace) as the ‘support’ of vāṇī.
Vedantic Theme: The finite instrument (karaṇa) cannot grasp the infinite; grace enables śabda to become a vehicle of truth and devotion.
Application: Before teaching/speaking, invoke humility and prayer; align speech with truth and compassion; treat eloquence as stewardship, not ego.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: stuti passages where speakers confess inadequacy and seek protection (general)
FAQs
This verse models humility as the proper attitude before receiving sacred instruction: the devotee admits limitation in speech and intellect and seeks the Lord’s grace, which is presented as the real source of right understanding.
Though not describing the after-death journey directly, it frames the transmission of afterlife teachings: Garuda requests divine support so the revealed knowledge about dharma and the soul’s journey can be spoken accurately and beneficially.
Approach scripture, rituals, and ethical decisions with humility—pray for clarity, avoid overconfidence in one’s opinions, and speak carefully, aiming for truthful and compassionate words.