Shloka 16

Acyuta/Vāsudeva Stotra: Avatāra-Salutations, Ritual Totality, Forgiveness Prayer, and Phalaśruti

Devanagari script

नमस्ते कालनेमिघ्न नमस्ते गरुडासन / नमस्ते देवकीपुत्र नमस्ते वृष्णिनन्दन

Transliteration

namaste kālanemighna namaste garuḍāsana / namaste devakīputra namaste vṛṣṇinandana

Translation

ഹേ കാലനേമി സംഹാരകാ, നിനക്കു നമസ്കാരം; ഹേ ഗരുഡാസനസ്ഥാ, നിനക്കു നമസ്കാരം. ഹേ ദേവകീപുത്രാ, നിനക്കു നമസ്കാരം; ഹേ വൃഷ്ണികുലാനന്ദാ, നിനക്കു നമസ്കാരം.

Word by Word

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/उद्गार), नमस्कारार्थक

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन

• कालनेमिघ्न: slayer of Kālanemi
• कालनेमिघ्न: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कालनेमि + घ्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; ‘कालनेमिं हन्ति’

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/उद्गार), नमस्कारार्थक

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन

• गरुडासन: whose seat is Garuḍa
• गरुडासन: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गरुड + आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; ‘गरुडः आसनं यस्य/यस्य आसनं गरुडः’

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/उद्गार), नमस्कारार्थक

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन

• देवकीपुत्र: son of Devakī
• देवकीपुत्र: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवकी + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘देवक्याः पुत्रः’

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (निपात/उद्गार), नमस्कारार्थक

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी (4th), एकवचन

• वृष्णिनन्दन: delight of the Vṛṣṇis
• वृष्णिनन्दन: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृष्णि + नन्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; ‘वृष्णीनां नन्दनः’

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra) offering salutations to Lord Vishnu/Krishna

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhakti deepens by holding together the Lord’s transcendence (Garuḍāsana) and immanence (born as Devakī’s son).

Vedantic Theme: Saguna Brahman as accessible through avatāra; līlā as a compassionate descent for loka-saṅgraha.

Application: In japa/stotra, alternate cosmic titles with intimate avatāra names to balance awe and closeness; use in times of doubt to remember divine nearness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: city/region (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.234.15–19 (continuous Krishna/Vishnu stuti)

Characters & Entities

• Kalanemi
• Garuda
• Devaki
• Vrishni clan
• Vishnu
• Krishna

FAQs

What is the importance of praising Vishnu as 'Kālanemi-ghna' in the Garuda Purana?

It invokes Vishnu’s role as the destroyer of demonic forces and inner obstacles, framing the prayer as a request for protection and victory over harmful influences.

How does this verse connect to Garuda and Vishnu’s relationship in the Garuda Purana?

By addressing Vishnu as 'Garuḍāsana' (He who rides Garuḍa), the verse highlights their intimate divine association—Garuda as the devoted vehicle and servant, Vishnu as the supreme protector.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use these epithets in daily japa or prayer to cultivate devotion, humility, and trust in divine protection—especially when seeking courage to overcome fear, negativity, or moral confusion.