Shloka 5

Durgā Pūjā, 108-Nāma Japa, and Protective Homa in Preta-Kalpa Observance

Devanagari script

शक्तिमुद्ररशूलानि कपालशरकाङ्कुशान् / वज्र चक्रं शलाकां च अष्टादशभुजां स्मरेत्

Transliteration

śaktimudraraśūlāni kapālaśarakāṅkuśān / vajra cakraṃ śalākāṃ ca aṣṭādaśabhujāṃ smaret

Translation

ಅಷ್ಟಾದಶಭುಜೆಯಾದ ದೇವಿಯನ್ನು ಧ್ಯಾನಿಸಬೇಕು; ಅವಳು ಶಕ್ತಿ-ಭಾಲ, ಮುದ್ರೆ, ತ್ರಿಶೂಲ, ಕಪಾಲ, ಬಾಣಗಳು, ಅಂಕುಶ, ವಜ್ರ, ಚಕ್ರ ಮತ್ತು ಶಲಾಕೆ (ದಂಡ) ಧರಿಸುತ್ತಾಳೆ.

Word by Word

• śakti-mudra-raśūlāni: spear, seal/gesture, and trident(s)
• śakti-mudra-raśūlāni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakti (प्रातिपदिक) + mudrā (प्रातिपदिक) + raśūla/triśūla (प्रातिपदिक; here ‘raśūla’ as transmitted)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः द्वन्द्वः (शक्तिः च मुद्रा च (र)शूलानि च)

• kapāla-śara-kāṅkuśān: skulls, arrows, and goads
• kapāla-śara-kāṅkuśān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kapāla (प्रातिपदिक) + śara (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅkuśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः द्वन्द्वः (कपालानि च शराः च अङ्कुशाः च)

• vajram: thunderbolt
• vajram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vajra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• cakram: discus
• cakram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• śalākām: rod/pin
• śalākām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śalākā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• aṣṭādaśa-bhujām: the eighteen-armed (goddess)
• aṣṭādaśa-bhujām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭādaśa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः द्विगुः (अष्टादश भुजाः यस्याः सा)

• smaret: should remember/meditate on
• smaret: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Smaraṇa/dhyāna of the Devī’s complete śakti through her eighteen-armed form and emblematic weapons.

Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā as a means to steady the mind; śakti as īśvara-vibhūti (divine power-manifestation).

Application: Before mantra-japa, mentally ‘install’ each āyudha (śakti-spear, mudrā, triśūla, kapāla, arrows, aṅkuśa, vajra, cakra, śalākā) to frame the practice as protection and obstacle-removal.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.38.4 (preceding list of implements); Garuda Purana 1.38.6 (transition to mantra and japa)

FAQs

What is the importance of meditating on an eighteen-armed Goddess in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prescribes dhyāna (visualization) of a multi-armed Devi form, where each emblem signifies a protective and purifying power—supporting ritual focus and inner steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes disciplined remembrance (smaret) and sacred visualization, practices that purify the mind and strengthen dharma—foundational supports for a favorable post-death journey in the Purāṇic framework.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a short dhyāna prompt: calmly visualize the Goddess with these symbols to cultivate courage, restraint, and protection from harmful impulses before performing prayers or ethical commitments.