Shloka 18

Mantra-Nyāsa and Elemental Maṇḍalas: Nāga Invocation and Garuḍa–Bhairava Dhyāna for Protection

Devanagari script

आद्याक्षरं तन्नाम्नश्च मन्त्रो ऽयं परिकीर्तितः / अष्टानां नागजातीनां मन्त्रः सान्निध्यकारकः

Transliteration

ādyākṣaraṃ tannāmnaśca mantro 'yaṃ parikīrtitaḥ / aṣṭānāṃ nāgajātīnāṃ mantraḥ sānnidhyakārakaḥ

Translation

ഈ മന്ത്രം അവരുടെ ആദ്യാക്ഷരവും അവരുടെ തന്നെ നാമങ്ങളും ചേർന്നതാണെന്ന് പ്രസിദ്ധം. ഇത് അഷ്ട നാഗജാതികളുടെ സാന്നിധ്യം വരുത്തുന്ന ആവാഹന-മന്ത്രമാണ്.

Word by Word

• ādya-akṣaram: the first syllable
• ādya-akṣaram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādya (प्रातिपदिक) + akṣara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म) एकवचन

• tat: of that
• tat: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध) एकवचन (तत्-सम्बन्धे)

• nāmnaḥ: of the name
• nāmnaḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध) एकवचन

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

• mantraḥ: mantra
• mantraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता) एकवचन

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता) एकवचन

• parikīrtitaḥ: proclaimed; described
• parikīrtitaḥ: Visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-√kīrt (परि + कीर्त्) + kta (क्त) → parikīrtita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि (has been proclaimed)

• aṣṭānām: of eight
• aṣṭānām: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭa (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध) बहुवचन; संख्या-विशेषण

• nāga-jātīnām: of the serpent-species
• nāga-jātīnām: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nāga (प्रातिपदिक) + jāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (jāti), षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध) बहुवचन

• mantraḥ: mantra
• mantraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता) एकवचन

• sānnidhya-kārakaḥ: causing presence/bringing near
• sānnidhya-kārakaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sānnidhya (प्रातिपदिक) + kāraka (प्रातिपदिक; √kṛ/कृ + ण्वुल्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra efficacy is tied to precise phoneme (ādya-akṣara) and nāma; correct invocation establishes sān­nidhya (ritual presence).

Vedantic Theme: Śabda as śakti: sound-form as a functional bridge between subtle beings and the practitioner’s intention.

Application: Use the prescribed initial syllable and exact nāga-names when performing nāga-invocation; keep pronunciation steady to ‘call near’ (sān­nidhya) rather than agitate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: subtle-realm interface

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.197.19 (invocation leading to manifest aid)

Characters & Entities

• Nagas

FAQs

What is the importance of a Nāga sānnidhya-mantra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the mantra—formed from the initial syllable and the Nāgas’ names—functions specifically to bring about their presence, indicating an invocation purpose within ritual or protective practice.

How does this verse explain the method of invoking the eight Nāga classes?

It points to a technical structure: beginning with the ‘first syllable’ (ādyākṣara) and then reciting the relevant names, implying that correct phonetic opening and naming are the operative components of the invocation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that sacred recitation emphasizes precision—clear beginnings and correct naming—so any prayer or mantra practice should be done carefully, respectfully, and with disciplined speech.