Shloka 5

Vaiṣṇava Pañjara: Directional Kavacha of Viṣṇu, His Weapons, and Avatāras

Devanagari script

उत्तरस्यां जगन्नाथ ! भवन्तं शरणं गतः / खड्गमादाय चर्ंमाथ अस्त्रशास्त्रादिकं हरे !

Transliteration

uttarasyāṃ jagannātha ! bhavantaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ / khaḍgamādāya carṃmātha astraśāstrādikaṃ hare !

Translation

北方において、宇宙の主ジャガンナータよ、我は汝に帰依す。ハリよ、剣と盾を執り、さらに諸武器とシャーストラ（聖なる教典）などを携えて護りたまえ。

Word by Word

• उत्तरस्याम्: in the north
• उत्तरस्याम्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण (direction)

• जगन्नाथ: O Lord of the world
• जगन्नाथ: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् + नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘lord of the world’)

• भवन्तम्: you (honored)
• भवन्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; आदरार्थ-प्रयोग (honorific ‘you’)

• शरणम्: refuge
• शरणम्: Gati/Karma (Goal as object/गति-कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गत्यर्थे द्वितीया

• गतः: gone; having taken (refuge)
• गतः: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकृत् (past participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्तरि (implicit अहम्)

• खड्गम्: sword
• खड्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खड्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + दा (धातु) + ल्यप्
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/ल्यप्), ‘having taken’

• चर्म: shield/leather (shield)
• चर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अथ: then; also
• अथ: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधान/अनन्तरार्थक (particle: ‘then/and also’)

• अस्त्रशास्त्रादिकम्: weapons, scriptures, and the like
• अस्त्रशास्त्रादिकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र + शास्त्र + आदि + क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (‘weapons and scriptures etc.’ as a collection)

• हरे: O Hari
• हरे: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu (Hari/Jagannatha)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Protection is supported by both divine refuge and right means (weapons/śāstra): disciplined action aligned with Hari.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana as cooperation of grace (anugraha) and effort (prayatna) under Īśvara.

Application: Pair prayer with practical safeguards—study, training, ethical preparedness; keep mind ‘shielded’ by discernment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: directional quarter (dik)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.13 (kavaca/dik-rakṣā progression: west→north→northeast...)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu (Hari/Jagannatha)
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of taking refuge (śaraṇāgati) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse models śaraṇāgati—seeking the Lord as the primary shelter—presenting divine refuge as superior to external means of protection.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey and fearlessness?

Although phrased as a protective invocation, it reinforces the Garuda Purana theme that inner security comes from divine shelter, which steadies one against fear and uncertainty in life and beyond.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Combine spiritual grounding (remembrance of Hari) with responsible preparedness—act courageously and ethically, without relying only on material defenses.