Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

त्रैलोक्ये भक्ष्यमाणे तु तदा मातृगणेन वै / नृसिंहरूपिणं देवं प्रदध्यौ भगवाञ्छिवः

Transliteration

trailokye bhakṣyamāṇe tu tadā mātṛgaṇena vai / nṛsiṃharūpiṇaṃ devaṃ pradadhyau bhagavāñchivaḥ

Translation

ആ സമയത്ത് മാതൃഗണങ്ങൾ ത്രിലോകത്തെ ഭക്ഷിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കെ, ഭഗവാൻ ശിവൻ നരസിംഹരൂപനായ ദേവനെ ധ്യാനിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• त्रैलोक्ये: in the three worlds
• त्रैलोक्ये: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रैलोक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; समासः—द्विगु (त्रि + लोक)

• भक्ष्यमाणे: being devoured
• भक्ष्यमाणे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्ष् (धातु) + शानच् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि कृदन्त (Present passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; त्रैलोक्ये इति विशेष्येण सह

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/अन्वयार्थक

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kala (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• मातृगणेन: by the host of Mothers (Mātṛs)
• मातृगणेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मातृगण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (मातॄणां गणः)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• नृसिंहरूपिणम्: having the form of Narasiṃha
• नृसिंहरूपिणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नृसिंहरूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (नृसिंहस्य रूपम् यस्य)

• देवम्: the god
• देवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• प्रदध्यौ: meditated upon / contemplated
• प्रदध्यौ: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

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

• शिवः: Śiva
• शिवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda, typical Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In existential danger, refuge in the Supreme’s protective manifestation (Narasiṁha) restores order.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as the immanent-protective power who subdues adharma; divine names/forms as upāya (means) for protection.

Application: In times of fear or instability, practice dhyāna/japa of Narasiṁha and cultivate surrender rather than panic.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Purva-khanda): Narasiṁha-stotra/dhyāna style passages in adjacent chapters (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Matriganas (Mothers)
• Narasimha
• Trailokya (three worlds)

FAQs

What is the importance of Narasiṁha in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Narasiṁha as a supreme protective manifestation invoked even by Śiva during a cosmic threat, highlighting Narasiṁha’s role as a remover of overwhelming danger.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it teaches that in times of fear and instability one should take refuge in the divine protector; this supports the Garuda Purana’s broader emphasis on remembrance of God as a safeguard amid suffering and transition.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady remembrance/meditation on a protective divine form (such as Narasiṁha) when facing intense anxiety or crisis, using disciplined prayer and ethical living as the foundation.