Shloka 51

Devanagari script

नमो विद्यास्वरूपाय विद्यादात्रे नमोनमः / नमः शान्ताय देवाय त्रिगुणायात्मने नमः

Transliteration

namo vidyāsvarūpāya vidyādātre namonamaḥ / namaḥ śāntāya devāya triguṇāyātmane namaḥ

Translation

വിദ്യാസ്വരൂപനായ നിനക്കു നമസ്കാരം; വിദ്യാദാതാവിനു വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും നമസ്കാരം. ശാന്തനായ ദേവനു നമസ്കാരം; ത്രിഗുണാത്മാവായ ആത്മസ്വരൂപനു നമസ്കാരം.

Word by Word

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोगः; नमस्कारार्थक

• विद्या-स्वरूपाय: to the very form of knowledge
• विद्या-स्वरूपाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (स्वरूप), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—'विद्यायाः स्वरूपम्' (as an epithet)

• विद्या-दात्रे: to the giver of knowledge
• विद्या-दात्रे: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + दातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—'विद्यायाः दाता'

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोगः; नमस्कारार्थक

• नमः: salutation (again)
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोगः; पुनरुक्ति-नमस्कार (repeated salutation)

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोगः; नमस्कारार्थक

• शान्ताय: to the peaceful one
• शान्ताय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (कृदन्त; √शम् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (peaceful)

• देवाय: to the god
• देवाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• त्रिगुणाय: to the three-qualitied (one)
• त्रिगुणाय: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास—'त्रयः गुणाः यस्य/यत्र' (as epithet)

• आत्मने: to the Self
• आत्मने: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Sambandha (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोगः; नमस्कारार्थक

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), offering a devotional salutation within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue frame

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The divine is both the form of knowledge and the giver of knowledge; the peaceful Lord is the Self, associated with (and transcending) the guṇas.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman/Ātman contemplation with guṇa-framework: the Self is the ground of experience; knowledge is ultimately illumination granted by the Supreme.

Application: Use the verse as a japa-mantra before meditation or study; reflect: ‘knowledge is not mine—may the peaceful Self illumine the mind beyond rajas/tamas.’

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: inner contemplative space (hridaya)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.34 (stuti sequence emphasizing vidyā and divine attributes)

Characters & Entities

• Deva
• Ātman
• Triguṇa

FAQs

What is the importance of worshipping the Divine as ‘Vidyā-svarūpa’ in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the Divine as the very essence and source of true knowledge, implying that spiritual understanding (vidyā) is a grace that leads one toward right conduct and liberation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing knowledge and inner peace, it points to the inner preparation for the soul’s journey—clarity of understanding and steadiness of mind are treated as supports for dharma and moksha.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate learning with humility, seek knowledge that refines character, and practice calmness—treating wisdom and inner peace as daily disciplines rather than mere theory.