Shloka 71

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

मोहकर्ता च दुष्टानां माण्डव्यो वडवामुखः / संवर्तः कालकर्ता च गौतमो भृगुरङ्गिराः (४२०)

Transliteration

mohakartā ca duṣṭānāṃ māṇḍavyo vaḍavāmukhaḥ / saṃvartaḥ kālakartā ca gautamo bhṛguraṅgirāḥ (420)

Translation

അവൻ ദുഷ്ടർക്കു മോഹം സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്നവൻ; മാണ്ഡവ്യനും വഡവാമുഖനും. അവൻ സംവർതൻ, കാലത്തിന്റെ കർത്താവ്; കൂടാതെ ഗൗതമൻ, ഭൃഗു, അങ്കിരസും ആകുന്നു.

Word by Word

• मोहकर्ता: producer of delusion
• मोहकर्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोह-कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (मोहं करोति इति)

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

• दुष्टानाम्: of the wicked
• दुष्टानाम्: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; 'दुष्ट' (wicked persons)

• माण्डव्यः: Māṇḍavya
• माण्डव्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माण्डव्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ऋषिनाम

• वडवामुखः: Vaḍavāmukha (mare-faced; submarine fire)
• वडवामुखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वडवा-मुख (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (वडवायाः मुखम्/वडवामुख इव मुखं यस्य)

• संवर्तः: Saṃvarta
• संवर्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संवर्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• कालकर्ता: maker/ordainer of time
• कालकर्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल-कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (कालं करोति/कालस्य कर्ता)

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

• गौतमः: Gautama
• गौतमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ऋषिनाम

• भृगुः: Bhṛgu
• भृगुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृगु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ऋषिनाम; पाठे 'भृगुरङ्गिराः' इति सन्धौ पृथक्कृतम्

• अङ्गिराः: Aṅgiras
• अङ्गिराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्गिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ऋषिनाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine governance includes bewilderment for the wicked and guidance through rishis; time and dissolution are also His functions.

Vedantic Theme: Ishvara’s māyā operates as both concealment (for adharmic minds) and revelation (through rishi-jnana); kala as instrument of karmic fruition.

Application: Avoid adharmic conduct that strengthens delusion; seek guidance from authentic teachers and scripture; contemplate impermanence (saṃvarta) to reduce attachment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (epithets linking Vishnu to rishis and cosmic forces)

Characters & Entities

• Māṇḍavya
• Vaḍavāmukha
• Saṃvarta
• Kāla (Time)
• Gautama
• Bhṛgu
• Aṅgiras

FAQs

What is the importance of listing divine names in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a name-list (nāma) style teaching: it identifies the Supreme as manifesting through revered sages and cosmic principles, encouraging remembrance and alignment with dharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it frames the moral dimension of the soul’s journey: the wicked are led into मोह (delusion), while recognition of the divine order (kāla and dharma) supports right conduct that shapes post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse for contemplative recitation: reflect on how delusion drives unethical choices, and consciously choose discipline and truthfulness in awareness of time (kāla) and consequence (karma).