Shloka 16

Vaiṣṇava-kavaca: Vishnu’s Protective Armor Against Fear, Disease, Poison, and Hostile Forces

Devanagari script

पद्भ्यां ददातु परमं सुखं मूर्ध्नि मम प्रभुः / दत्तात्रेयः प्रकुरुतां सपुत्रपशुबान्धवम्

Transliteration

padbhyāṃ dadātu paramaṃ sukhaṃ mūrdhni mama prabhuḥ / dattātreyaḥ prakurutāṃ saputrapaśubāndhavam

Translation

എന്റെ പ്രഭു തന്റെ പാദങ്ങളാൽ എന്റെ ശിരസ്സിൽ പരമസുഖം നൽകട്ടെ. ദത്താത്രേയൻ പുത്രന്മാർ, പശുക്കൾ, ബന്ധുക്കൾ സഹിതം സമൃദ്ധി എനിക്കു നൽകട്ടെ.

Word by Word

• पद्भ्याम्: with (his) feet
• पद्भ्याम्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), द्विवचन; करणार्थे (instrumental: by/with the feet)

• ददातु: may (he) give
• ददातु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative/आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (सुखम् इति)

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• मूर्ध्नि: on the head
• मूर्ध्नि: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरणार्थे (locative)

• मम: my
• मम: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रभुः: the Lord
• प्रभुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• दत्तात्रेयः: Dattātreya
• दत्तात्रेयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दत्त (प्रातिपदिक) + आत्रेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (दत्तः आत्रेयः) (नाम)

• प्रकुरुताम्: may (he) accomplish/provide
• प्रकुरुताम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative/आज्ञार्थ), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

• स-पुत्र-पशु-बान्धवम्: together with sons, cattle, and relatives
• स-पुत्र-पशु-बान्धवम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स (अव्यय-उपसर्गार्थे/सह) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पशु (प्रातिपदिक) + बान्धव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः/बहुपद-समासः (पुत्रैः पशुभिः बान्धवैः सह); विशेषणम् (परमं सुखम् इति)

Speaker

Narrator/Devotee (a benedictory prayer within the Garuda Purana’s discourse framework, traditionally framed in the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine blessing harmonizes sukha (well-being) with legitimate prosperity—sons, cattle, and kin—within a dharmic household ideal.

Vedantic Theme: Grace (anugraha) supports both artha/kāma under dharma and the inner peace that can mature into mokṣa-seeking.

Application: Householders may recite for family welfare while maintaining ethical livelihood; cultivate humility (bowing to the divine) and gratitude.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.194 (protective and benefic invocations)

Characters & Entities

• Dattatreya

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Dattātreya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a devotional benediction, seeking Dattātreya’s grace for supreme well-being and household stability—showing that spiritual refuge and worldly order are both sought through divine blessing.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes like dharma and life’s duties?

By praying for happiness along with sons, cattle, and relatives, the verse reflects the dharmic ideal of a balanced life: inner auspiciousness supported by family continuity and rightful livelihood.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a daily prayer for humility and gratitude—seeking ethical prosperity, family harmony, and spiritual anchoring rather than mere accumulation.