Shloka 55
Hari-stuti by Śrī, Brahmā, Vāyu, Sarasvatī, Śeṣa, Garuḍa, Rudra, Vāruṇī and Pārvatī
Humility, Surrender, and the Power of the Name
अतो गुणस्तवने नास्ति शक्तिर्वीन्द्राहदं दशगुणैरवरा च नित्यम्
ato guṇastavane nāsti śaktirvīndrāhadaṃ daśaguṇairavarā ca nityam
ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ನಿನ್ನ ಗುಣಗಳನ್ನು ಯಥೋಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಸ್ತುತಿಸಲು ನನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಇಲ್ಲ; ಇಂದ್ರಾದಿಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ನಾನು ನಿತ್ಯ ದಶಗುಣವಾಗಿ ಹೀನನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ।
Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu
Concept: Even the greatest beings’ capacities are limited; true devotion includes acknowledging the immeasurability of the Lord’s qualities.
Vedantic Theme: Finite instruments (speech, intellect) cannot circumscribe the Infinite; humility becomes a gateway to grace.
Application: Replace performative spirituality with sincere practice: offer what you can (stuti, japa, service) without anxiety about adequacy.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated ‘na śaktiḥ’ motifs in stuti contexts
FAQs
This verse models humility: even a mighty being like Garuda admits his limits in praising Vishnu, reinforcing that spiritual knowledge and devotion begin with acknowledging one’s finite capacity.
In the Preta Kanda’s instructional setting, Garuda’s reverence frames Vishnu as the ultimate authority on after-death realities—preparing the listener to treat the coming descriptions of karma, rites, and Yama’s domain as sacred guidance.
Approach rituals, prayers, and ethical living with humility—seek correct guidance, avoid ego in religious practice, and remember that devotion and sincerity matter more than self-importance.