Shloka 36
Nāmāṣṭottara-dviśata: Gaṇa–Chandas–Yati Catalogue and Mnemonic Coding
दिगर्कैर्भद्रकं भ्रौ न्रौ नरना गो यथाकृतिः / नजौ भश्वाश्वललितं जभौ जभलगा भवेत्
digarkairbhadrakaṃ bhrau nrau naranā go yathākṛtiḥ / najau bhaśvāśvalalitaṃ jabhau jabhalagā bhavet
‘ദിഗ്’ ‘അർക്ക’ എന്ന ഗണസംയോഗം ‘ഭദ്രകം’ ആകുന്നു; ‘ഭ്രൗ’ ‘ന്രൗ’ എന്നിവ ‘നര’ ‘നാഗ’ എന്ന സൂചന നൽകുന്നു; ‘ഗോ’ ഗണം നിശ്ചിതവിധിപ്രകാരം രൂപപ്പെടുത്തണം. ‘ന-ജൗ’ കൊണ്ട് ‘ഭശ്വ’; ‘അശ്വ’ കൊണ്ട് ‘അശ്വ-ലലിതം’; ‘ജ-ഭൗ’ കൊണ്ട് ‘ജഭ’; ഇങ്ങനെ ‘ജഭ-ലഗാ’ ഉത്ഭവിക്കുന്നു.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Rule-governed derivation: specific gaṇa markers yield specific chandas-names; knowledge is encoded in compact syllabic keys.
Vedantic Theme: Śabda as a structured vehicle of knowledge; discipline of language (vāk) as an aid to right understanding.
Application: Apply the given gaṇa triggers (dig/arka, bhrau/nrau, na-jau, aśva, ja-bhau) to identify or construct the corresponding metres in composition and recitation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.209: continuing list of metres and gaṇa triggers; likely preceding/following verses define additional prakṛti/vikṛti patterns
FAQs
This verse functions as a technical guide: it teaches how specific syllabic groups combine to yield particular mantra-words/names, emphasizing that ritual efficacy depends on correct formation and pronunciation.
Garuda Purana’s ritual sections often rely on exact mantra recitation; this verse supports that framework by giving phonetic/structural instructions for producing specific terms used in liturgical contexts.
When chanting Garuda Purana passages or related mantras for śrāddha/pinda-dāna contexts, follow an authentic text and teacher-led pronunciation—this verse underlines that precision in sound and structure matters.