Shloka 127

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

जलशायी योगशायी शेषशायी कुशेशयः / महीभर्ता च (७९०) कार्यं च कारणं पृथिवीधरः

Transliteration

jalaśāyī yogaśāyī śeṣaśāyī kuśeśayaḥ / mahībhartā ca (790) kāryaṃ ca kāraṇaṃ pṛthivīdharaḥ

Translation

അവൻ ജലശായി, യോഗശായി; ശേഷനിൽ ശയിക്കുന്നവൻ, താമരയിൽ വസിക്കുന്നവൻ. അവൻ ഭൂമിഭർത്താവ്; അവൻ തന്നേ കാര്യംയും കാരണവും—ലോകാധാരം.

Word by Word

• jalaśāyī: one who lies in water
• jalaśāyī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jala (प्रातिपदिक) + śāyī (प्रातिपदिक; √śī/√śay + णिनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘जले शेते’

• yogaśāyī: one who lies in yogic sleep
• yogaśāyī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + śāyī (प्रातिपदिक; √śī/√śay + णिनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘योगनिद्रायां शेते’

• śeṣaśāyī: one who lies on Śeṣa
• śeṣaśāyī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śeṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + śāyī (प्रातिपदिक; √śī/√śay + णिनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘शेषे शेते’

• kuśeśayaḥ: one who lies on kuśa grass
• kuśeśayaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuśa (प्रातिपदिक) + īśaya/śaya (प्रातिपदिक; √śī/√śay)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘कुशेषु शेते’ (कुश-शय)

• mahībhartā: supporter of the earth
• mahībhartā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahī (प्रातिपदिक) + bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक; √bhṛ + तृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (महीभर्ता = महीम् भरति/महीयाः भर्ता)

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

• kāryam: effect; what is to be done
• kāryam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक; √kṛ + यत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive used as noun)

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

• kāraṇam: cause
• kāraṇam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• pṛthivīdharaḥ: bearer of the earth
• pṛthivīdharaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pṛthivī (प्रातिपदिक) + dhara (प्रातिपदिक; √dhṛ + अच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पृथिव्याः धरः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord as Yogashayi/Jalashayi/Śeṣaśayi and as kārya-kāraṇa—both manifested world and its ultimate cause; the supporter of earth.

Vedantic Theme: Non-dual causality (Brahman as both cause and effect) and the assurance of cosmic order upheld by the Supreme.

Application: Contemplate Narayana in yoga-nidrā imagery to steady the mind; practice surrender (śaraṇāgati) and reduce anxiety by remembering the world is upheld by a higher order.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic-ocean

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15.125-126 (Pranava/Gayatri/Śālagrāma as access points to the same Supreme)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Shesha (Ananta)
• Earth (Prithivi)

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu being called Jalaśāyī and Śeṣaśāyī in the Garuda Purana?

These titles present Vishnu as the cosmic preserver—resting on primordial waters and upon Ananta-Śeṣa—symbolizing supreme stability and protection of creation.

How does this verse explain cause and effect (kāraṇa-kārya)?

By calling Vishnu both kāraṇa (cause) and kārya (effect), the verse teaches that the manifested universe arises from Him and is sustained as His own expression.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steadiness and dharma by remembering the Divine as the inner support of life; in practice, recite and reflect on Vishnu’s names to strengthen devotion and ethical living.