Shloka 126

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

प्रणवेन च लक्ष्यो वै गायत्री च गदाधरः / शालग्रामनिवासी च (७८०)शालग्रामस्तथैव च

Transliteration

praṇavena ca lakṣyo vai gāyatrī ca gadādharaḥ / śālagrāmanivāsī ca (780)śālagrāmastathaiva ca

Translation

അവൻ പ്രണവംകൊണ്ട് ലക്ഷ്യനാകുന്നു; അവൻ തന്നേ ഗായത്രിയും ഗദാധരനും. അവൻ ശാലഗ്രാമത്തിൽ വസിക്കുന്നു; അവൻ തന്നേ ശാലഗ്രാമസ്വരൂപനും.

Word by Word

• praṇavena: by/with Praṇava
• praṇavena: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: praṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• lakṣyaḥ: to be indicated/aimed at
• lakṣyaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: lakṣya (प्रातिपदिक; √lakṣ + यत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), विशेषण

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• gāyatrī: Gāyatrī (meter/mantra)
• gāyatrī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāyatrī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• gadādharaḥ: bearer of the mace
• gadādharaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक; √dhṛ + अच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गदायाः धरः)

• śālagrāma-nivāsī: dweller in Śālagrāma
• śālagrāma-nivāsī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālagrāma (प्रातिपदिक) + nivāsī (प्रातिपदिक; नि-√vas + णिनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘शालग्रामे निवसति’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• śālagrāmaḥ: Śālagrāma (sacred stone/place)
• śālagrāmaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śālagrāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tathā: thus, likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक अव्यय (adverb)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is known through Pranava and Gāyatrī, and is worshipped as Gadādhara; He is immanent in Śālagrāma and identical with it.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna Brahman as upāsya (object of worship) while remaining the transcendent signified by Oṃ; arcā as real presence (not mere symbol).

Application: Daily japa of Oṃ and/or Gāyatrī with Vishnu-bhāva; if one keeps Śālagrāma, perform simple nitya-arcana (water, tulasi, naivedya) with purity and steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15.125 (Pranava); Garuda Purana 1.15.127 (cosmic forms; cause/effect)

Characters & Entities

• Praṇava (Oṁ)
• Gāyatrī
• Gadādhara (Vishnu)
• Śālagrāma

FAQs

What is the importance of Praṇava (Oṁ) and Gāyatrī in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Oṁ and the Gāyatrī as sacred pointers to the Supreme—ways by which Viṣṇu is recognized and meditated upon through mantra.

How does this verse describe God’s presence in Śālagrāma?

It states both that Viṣṇu dwells in Śālagrāma and that He is Śālagrāma—affirming the deity’s real presence in the worship-symbol, not merely a representation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use mantra-centered devotion (Oṁ, Gāyatrī) with reverence for sacred forms (like Śālagrāma) to cultivate steady remembrance, discipline, and devotion in daily worship.