The Ninefold Rite (Navavidhi): Worship of Sudarśana-Cakra and the Disease-Destroying Hymn
पालनार्थाय लोकानां दुष्टासुरविनाशिने / उग्राय चैव सौम्याय चण्डाय च नमोनमः
pālanārthāya lokānāṃ duṣṭāsuravināśine / ugrāya caiva saumyāya caṇḍāya ca namonamaḥ
ലോകങ്ങളുടെ പാലനാർത്ഥം, ദുഷ്ടാസുരവിനാശകനേ; ഉഗ്രനും സൗമ്യനും, ചണ്ഡപരാക്രമനും ആയവനേ—നിനക്ക് വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും നമസ്കാരം।
Garuda (Vinātā-putra), offering a hymn of salutations to Lord Vishnu/Nārāyaṇa
Concept: The same Lord manifests as ugra and saumya—fierce toward adharma, gentle toward devotees—maintaining cosmic balance.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara’s līlā through guṇa-appropriate manifestations; one reality appearing as many functions without internal contradiction.
Application: In adversity, invoke the Lord’s protective aspect; cultivate discernment—firmness against harm, gentleness toward the vulnerable.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana devotional hymns to the Lord as protector of bhaktas and destroyer of asuras
This verse highlights Vishnu’s complete sovereignty: He protects devotees and the cosmic order (saumya), yet becomes formidable to remove adharma and destructive forces (ugra/caṇḍa).
Indirectly, it frames the Purana’s afterlife teachings within devotion: refuge in the preserver who upholds order is presented as a stabilizing spiritual foundation amid discussions of karma and post-death consequences.
Cultivate balanced strength—be compassionate in daily conduct, but firm against harmful habits and injustice—while using devotional remembrance as a discipline for ethical living.