Shloka 15

Śiva’s Narasiṃha-Stotra and the Pacification of the Mātṛgaṇas

Devanagari script

सहस्रचन्दप्रतिम ! सहस्रांशुहरिक्रम / सहस्ररुद्रतेजस्क सहस्रब्रह्मसंस्तुत

Transliteration

sahasracandapratima ! sahasrāṃśuharikrama / sahasrarudratejaska sahasrabrahmasaṃstuta

Translation

ആയിരം ചന്ദ്രന്മാരെപ്പോലെ ദീപ്തിയുള്ളവനേ! ആയിരം സൂര്യന്മാരെപ്പോലെ വിക്രമപാദങ്ങളുള്ള ഹരിയേ! ആയിരം രുദ്രന്മാരുടെ തേജസ്സാൽ പ്രകാശിക്കുന്നവനേ! ആയിരം ബ്രഹ്മാക്കളാൽ സ്തുതിക്കപ്പെടുന്നവനേ!

Word by Word

• सहस्रचन्दप्रतिम: O one like a thousand moons
• सहस्रचन्दप्रतिम: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन-प्रयोगः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतिम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (सहस्रचन्द्राणां प्रतिमः = like a thousand moons)

• सहस्रांशुहरिक्रम: O Hari of thousand rays / O Hari of mighty stride
• सहस्रांशुहरिक्रम: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन-प्रयोगः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अंशु (प्रातिपदिक) + हरि (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (सहस्रांशोः हरिक्रमः/हरिणः क्रमः)

• सहस्ररुद्रतेजस्क: O one with the splendor of a thousand Rudras
• सहस्ररुद्रतेजस्क: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन-प्रयोगः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + रुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + क (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः + तद्धितान्त (तेजस्क = possessing splendor) (सहस्ररुद्राणां तेजः यस्य)

• सहस्रब्रह्मसंस्तुत: O one praised by a thousand Brahmās
• सहस्रब्रह्मसंस्तुत: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन-प्रयोगः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + संस्तुत (कृदन्त; √स्तु (धातु) + सम् उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्तः (संस्तुत = praised) (सहस्रब्रह्मभिः संस्तुतः)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu (Hari)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhagavat-stuti through sahasra-upamā (thousandfold comparisons) to evoke the Lord’s immeasurable tejas and aiśvarya.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as ananta-śakti and sarva-śaktimān; the finite mind approaches the Infinite via devotional language (upāsanā).

Application: Use as a praise-verse in daily Viṣṇu-smaraṇa; contemplate divine light (tejas) to steady the mind in devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.231.16-17 (continuation of sahasra-epithets; Narasiṃha context)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Rudra
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of this Vishnu-stuti in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as an invocation praising Vishnu’s supreme cosmic radiance and authority, establishing Him as the refuge and the ultimate guide for dharma-oriented teachings that follow.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda–Vishnu dialogue tradition?

It reflects Garuda’s reverential approach—beginning with exalted praise of Hari—before receiving instruction, a common Purana style that frames the teaching as divinely sanctioned and spiritually efficacious.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a brief daily invocation to cultivate devotion, steadiness, and ethical resolve—remembering that dharma is best pursued under the ideal of divine clarity and protection.