Shloka 138

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

नियन्ता पादयोश्चैव पाद्यभाक्च विसर्गकृत्(८७०) / विसर्गस्य नियन्ता च ह्युपस्थस्थः सुखं तथा

Transliteration

niyantā pādayoścaiva pādyabhākca visargakṛt(870) / visargasya niyantā ca hyupasthasthaḥ sukhaṃ tathā

Translation

足を司る統御者は、足洗いの供物（パードヤ）を受け、また排泄を行わせる者でもある。同様に、放出を司る統御者は生殖器に住し、そこから快楽もまた生じる。

Word by Word

• नियन्ता: controller, restrainer
• नियन्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नि-यम् (धातु) + तृ (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तरि तृन्त्-प्रत्ययान्त (agent noun)

• पादयोः: of the two feet
• पादयोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive) द्विवचन (also can function as Locative dual by form; here Genitive)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed, just
• एव: Avadharana (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• पाद्यभाक्: recipient of the foot-washing (water)
• पाद्यभाक्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भज् (धातु) → भाक् (कृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पाद्यस्य भाक् = recipient of foot-washing water)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• विसर्गकृत्: producer of discharge/emission
• विसर्गकृत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विसर्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु) → कृत् (कृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विसर्गस्य कृत् = maker/producer of emission)

• विसर्गस्य: of emission/discharge
• विसर्गस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विसर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• नियन्ता: controller
• नियन्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नि-यम् (धातु) + तृ (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्तरि तृन्त्-प्रत्ययान्त

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Nipata (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; explanatory/emphatic)

• उपस्थस्थः: one stationed at the loins (genital region)
• उपस्थस्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपस्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + स्था (धातु) → स्थ (कृत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; उपस्थे स्थः (सप्तमी/अधिकरण-तत्पुरुषः) = situated at/over the loins

• सुखम्: comfortably; happiness
• सुखम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial accusative)

• तथा: thus; likewise
• तथा: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: in that manner/also)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adhidaiva-adhyatma correspondence: bodily functions (locomotion, excretion, emission) are governed by presiding controllers; pleasure arises within lawful regulation.

Vedantic Theme: Body as kshetra with devata-niyamanam; recognition of order (ṛta) within prakriti while the Self remains witness.

Application: Cultivate bodily discipline and purity; treat sense-pleasure as regulated (niyanta) rather than compulsive; integrate daily worship with bodily mindfulness (e.g., cleanliness, respectful offerings).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (Vishnu-nama/adhidaiva mapping context)

FAQs

What is the importance of presiding controllers (niyantṛs) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames bodily functions—movement, excretion, and sexual emission—as governed by subtle presiding principles, encouraging discipline and sacred accountability rather than mere indulgence.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By distinguishing the body’s functions from their subtle regulators, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that the jīva is distinct from the physical body and is carried by subtle mechanisms after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate restraint and purity in bodily conduct—especially regarding sensory pleasure—recognizing these functions as sacredly regulated and therefore to be aligned with dharma.