Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

मूलमन्त्रं समस्तं तु हस्तयोर्व्यापकं न्यसेत् / मूलमन्त्रं च देवस्य शृणु रुद्र वदामि ते

Transliteration

mūlamantraṃ samastaṃ tu hastayorvyāpakaṃ nyaset / mūlamantraṃ ca devasya śṛṇu rudra vadāmi te

Translation

両の手に遍満するよう、完全なる根本マントラをニヤーサとして安置すべし。いま、ルドラよ、聴け――その神の根本マントラを汝に語ろう。

Word by Word

• मूलमन्त्रम्: the root-mantra
• मूलमन्त्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मूलस्य मन्त्रः)

• समस्तम्: entire, complete
• समस्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (मूलमन्त्रम्)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); विरोध/अन्वयार्थक

• हस्तयोः: of the two hands
• हस्तयोः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), द्विवचन

• व्यापकम्: pervading, covering
• व्यापकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्यापक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (मूलमन्त्रम्)

• न्यसेत्: should place (perform nyāsa)
• न्यसेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• मूलमन्त्रम्: the root-mantra
• मूलमन्त्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• देवस्य: of the deity
• देवस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• रुद्र: O Rudra
• रुद्र: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वदामि: I speak/tell
• वदामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• ते: to you/for you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

Speaker

Unspecified (instructional narrator addressing Rudra; not the primary Viṣṇu–Garuḍa dialogue in this line)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-nyāsa as embodied devotion: installing the root-mantra in the hands and preparing to receive the deity’s mantra-teaching.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-upāsanā through śabda (mantra) and śarīra-śuddhi as a support for inner steadiness (antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi).

Application: Before japa or pūjā, perform kara-nyāsa with full attention; treat the body as a sacred instrument for worship and recitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.31.5-8 (root-mantra statement; benefits; aṅga-nyāsa; mudrā)

Characters & Entities

• Rudra

FAQs

What is the importance of mūlamantra and nyāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the root-mantra is not only recited but ritually “placed” through nyāsa, especially in the hands, making the practitioner’s body a fit support for mantra-japa and worship.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It does not directly describe the soul’s post-death journey; instead, it presents preparatory ritual discipline (mantra and nyāsa), which the text treats as supportive to dharma and spiritual readiness.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach mantra practice with method and reverence—learn the correct procedure (such as kara-nyāsa) from a qualified tradition before recitation, rather than treating mantra as mere words.