Shloka 136

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

घ्राणस्थो घ्राणकृद् घ्राता घ्राणेन्द्रियनियामकः / वाक्स्थो वक्ता च वक्तव्यो वचनं वाङ्नियामकः

Transliteration

ghrāṇastho ghrāṇakṛd ghrātā ghrāṇendriyaniyāmakaḥ / vākstho vaktā ca vaktavyo vacanaṃ vāṅniyāmakaḥ

Translation

ഘ്രാണത്തിൽ സന്നിഹിതനായി അവൻ ഘ്രാണക്രിയയുടെ കർത്താവും ഗന്ധഗ്രാഹിയും ഘ്രാണേന്ദ്രിയനിയാമകനുമാകുന്നു. വാക്കിൽ സന്നിഹിതനായി അവൻ വക്താവും വക്തവ്യവും വചനവും വാക്‌നിയാമകനുമാകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• ghrāṇa-sthaḥ: situated in the nose
• ghrāṇa-sthaḥ: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sthita/stha (स्था, क्त/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• ghrāṇa-kṛt: maker/producer of smell (olfaction)
• ghrāṇa-kṛt: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛt (कृ, कृत्/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (कृत्-प्रातिपदिक)

• ghrātā: smeller
• ghrātā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghrā (घ्रा, धातु) + tṛ (तृ/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तृ-प्रत्ययान्त (agent noun)

• ghrāṇa-indriya-niyāmakaḥ: controller of the olfactory sense-organ
• ghrāṇa-indriya-niyāmakaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghrāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + indriya (प्रातिपदिक) + niyāmaka (नि+यम्, ण्वुल्/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• vāk-sthaḥ: situated in speech
• vāk-sthaḥ: Karta (Predicate adjective/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vāc (वाच्, प्रातिपदिक) + sthita/stha (स्था, क्त/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• vaktā: speaker
• vaktā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vac (वच्, धातु) + tṛ (तृ/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तृ-प्रत्ययान्त

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

• vaktavyaḥ: to be spoken; speakable
• vaktavyaḥ: Karma (Object as 'to-be'/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (वच्, धातु) + tavya (तव्यत्, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (to be spoken)

• vacanam: speech; utterance
• vacanam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacana (वचन, प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• vāṅ-niyāmakaḥ: controller of speech
• vāṅ-niyāmakaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (वाच्→वाङ्, प्रातिपदिक) + niyāmaka (नि+यम्, ण्वुल्/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: He abides in olfaction as smeller and regulator; in speech as speaker, spoken content, utterance, and governor—one reality functioning as cognition and expression.

Vedantic Theme: Unity of inner ruler with functional faculties; vāk as manifestation of consciousness; agency ultimately belongs to the indwelling Lord.

Application: Cultivate satya and measured speech: before speaking, recollect the ‘vāk-niyāmaka’ to align words with clarity, compassion, and truth.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15.133-135 (inner ruler across faculties); Garuda Purana 1.15.137 (hands/feet/path)

FAQs

What is the importance of the indriya-niyāmaka (controller of the senses) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents the Divine as the inner regulator of the senses—both the capacity (power) and its right functioning—supporting the Garuda Purana’s emphasis on self-restraint as a sacred discipline.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By identifying the Divine as the indwelling guide of sensory perception and speech, it implies that purification of the subtle instruments (indriyas and vāk) prepares the jīva for higher states and steadier dharmic conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice mindful speech (truthful, non-harmful words) and sense-discipline (avoid compulsive indulgence), treating both as spiritual vows aligned with inner divine governance.