Shloka 41

Devanagari script

गरुडो ऽम्बुजसंकाशो गदा चैवासिताकृतिः / पुष्टिः शिरीषपुष्पाभा लक्ष्मीः काञ्चनसन्निभा

Transliteration

garuḍo 'mbujasaṃkāśo gadā caivāsitākṛtiḥ / puṣṭiḥ śirīṣapuṣpābhā lakṣmīḥ kāñcanasannibhā

Translation

ഗരുഡൻ താമരപോലെ ദീപ്തൻ; ഗദയ്ക്ക് ശ്യാമവർണ്ണരൂപം. പുഷ്ടി ശിരീഷപുഷ്പംപോലെ ശോഭിക്കുന്നു; ലക്ഷ്മീ സ്വർണ്ണംപോലെ പ്രകാശിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• गरुडः: Garuḍa
• गरुडः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अम्बुजसंकाशः: lotus-like in appearance
• अम्बुजसंकाशः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अम्बुज + संकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान-निर्देश: अम्बुज-सदृशः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गरुडस्य विशेषण

• गदा: the mace
• गदा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

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

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक निपात

• असिता-आकृतिः: having a dark/black form
• असिता-आकृतिः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: असिता + आकृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (असिता आकृतिः यस्याः/या), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; गदायाः विशेषण

• पुष्टिः: Puṣṭi (nourishment personified)
• पुष्टिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• शिरीषपुष्पाभा: having the hue of śirīṣa flowers
• शिरीषपुष्पाभा: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिरीषपुष्प + आभा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (उपमान: शिरीषपुष्पस्य आभा इव), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुष्टेः विशेषण

• लक्ष्मीः: Lakṣmī
• लक्ष्मीः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• काञ्चनसन्निभा: gold-like
• काञ्चनसन्निभा: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चन + सन्निभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (काञ्चन-सदृशी), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; लक्ष्म्याः विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrative description within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is approached through vivid contemplation of His attendants and śaktis—Garuda, weapon-forms, nourishment (Puṣṭi), and Lakṣmī—each embodying a divine function.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna-upāsanā: attributes and powers (śakti) are contemplated as expressions of the one Supreme.

Application: During pūjā/dhyāna, visualize each figure with the stated color-likeness to stabilize attention and evoke bhakti.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.11.42-43 (further iconographic details); Garuda Purana 1.11.44 (pūjā offerings with mantra)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Gadā (mace)
• Puṣṭi
• Lakṣmī

FAQs

What is the importance of describing Garuḍa, Gadā, Puṣṭi, and Lakṣmī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes auspicious divine attributes and iconographic markers—using color and radiance symbolism to convey purity, protection, nourishment (Puṣṭi), and prosperity (Lakṣmī).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by highlighting auspicious divine presences and qualities (protection, nourishment, prosperity), it frames the broader Garuda Purana teaching that refuge in dharma and devotion aligns one with beneficent forces rather than fearful post-death states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a contemplation on auspicious qualities—seek purity (lotus-like), restraint and protection (Gadā), nourishment and steadiness (Puṣṭi), and righteous prosperity (Lakṣmī) in daily conduct and worship.