Shloka 42

Dāna for the Preta: Supreme Gifts, Yama’s Pacification, and Viṣṇu-Smaraṇa at the Time of Death

Devanagari script

जले विष्णुः स्थले विष्णुर्विष्णुः पर्वतमस्तके / ज्वालामालाकुले विष्णुः सर्वं विष्णुमयं जगत्

Transliteration

jale viṣṇuḥ sthale viṣṇurviṣṇuḥ parvatamastake / jvālāmālākule viṣṇuḥ sarvaṃ viṣṇumayaṃ jagat

Translation

ജലത്തിൽ വിഷ്ണു, നിലത്തിൽ വിഷ്ണു, പർവ്വതശിഖരത്തിലും വിഷ്ണു. ജ്വാലാമാലകൾ നിറഞ്ഞ നടുവിലും വിഷ്ണുവേ; സർവ്വ ജഗത്തും വിഷ്ണുമയമാണ്.

Word by Word

• जले: in water
• जले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (7th/Locative), एकवचनम्

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्

• स्थले: on land
• स्थले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (7th/Locative), एकवचनम्

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्

• पर्वतमस्तके: on the mountain-top
• पर्वतमस्तके: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक) + मस्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (7th/Locative), एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पर्वतस्य मस्तके)

• ज्वालामालाकुले: in (that which is) filled with a mass/garland of flames
• ज्वालामालाकुले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्वाला (प्रातिपदिक) + माला (प्रातिपदिक) + आकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे/पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (7th/Locative), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (ज्वालामालया आकुलम् = filled with a garland/series of flames)

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्

• सर्वम्: all/entire
• सर्वम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Nom/Acc), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• विष्णुमयम्: pervaded by Viṣṇu / made of Viṣṇu
• विष्णुमयम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Nom/Acc), एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (विष्णुना मयम् = consisting of Viṣṇu)

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Nom/Acc), एकवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vishnu’s immanence: the universe is Vishnu-maya; divine presence is not confined to a single shrine or safe place.

Vedantic Theme: Antaryāmin and viśvarūpa intuition; non-dualizing vision (bheda-kṣaya) through the lens of Īśvara-pervasion.

Application: Practice ‘seeing’ the divine in daily environments—nature, work, danger, and discomfort—using brief recollection phrases (e.g., ‘sarvaṃ viṣṇumayam’).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic landscape

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.30.41 (exclusive refuge); Garuda Purana 2.30.43 (cosmic identification formula)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of Viṣṇu’s all-pervading nature in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches sarvavyāpitva—Viṣṇu pervades water, land, mountains, and even fiery terrors—supporting constant remembrance and fearlessness grounded in devotion.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey described in the Preta Kanda?

Preta Kanda frequently emphasizes remembrance of the Lord as support amid frightening post-death visions; this verse frames every realm and experience as Viṣṇu-pervaded, reducing dread and strengthening surrender.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice seeing the divine presence in all places and circumstances; in anxiety or danger, steady the mind with Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (remembrance) and act ethically with trust and composure.