Shloka 146

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

राहुः केतुर्ग्रहो ग्राहो(९२०) गजेन्द्रमुखमेलकः / ग्राहस्य विनिहन्ता च ग्रामी रक्षकस्तथा

Transliteration

rāhuḥ keturgraho grāho(920) gajendramukhamelakaḥ / grāhasya vinihantā ca grāmī rakṣakastathā

Translation

Baginda adalah Rāhu, Ketu, graha yang menggerhana; grāha, Sang Penyambar; Melaka yang bermuka gajah. Baginda pemusnah grāha; dan juga pelindung desa, penjaga kampung—nama-nama pelindung yang diingati.

Word by Word

• राहुः: Rāhu
• राहुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• केतुः: Ketu
• केतुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• ग्रहः: seizer; planet
• ग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• ग्राहः: crocodile; seizer
• ग्राहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• गजेन्द्रमुखमेलकः: Gajendramukhamelaka (a name)
• गजेन्द्रमुखमेलकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गजेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मुख (प्रातिपदिक) + मेलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (गजेन्द्रस्य मुखम्; तस्य मेलकः/सम्बन्धी) पारम्परिक-नाम; Nominative singular

• ग्राहस्य: of the crocodile (grāha)
• ग्राहस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• विनिहन्ता: slayer; destroyer
• विनिहन्ता: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वि+नि+हन् (धातु) → विनिहन्तृ (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्तृवाचक कृदन्त (तृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; agent noun; Nominative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय; and

• ग्रामी: villager; one belonging to a village
• ग्रामी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रामिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; इन्-प्रातिपदिक; Nominative singular

• रक्षकः: protector
• रक्षकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक; likewise

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is sovereign over graha-afflictions and seizing forces; refuge in Viṣṇu transforms fear and mitigates harmful influences.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as controller of cosmic order (ṛta) and of perceived planetary/daivika afflictions; surrender (śaraṇāgati) as antidote to anxiety.

Application: Use nāma-smaraṇa as a stabilizing practice during fear, illness, or ‘bad timing’; pair with ethical living and community care rather than fatalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: settlement

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (protective nāma cluster: graha/grāha, destroyer, guardian)

Characters & Entities

• Rahu
• Ketu
• Graha
• Grāha
• Gajendra
• Melaka
• Rakṣaka (guardian)

FAQs

What is the importance of Rahu–Ketu and grāha references in the Garuda Purana?

This verse groups powerful “seizing” forces (graha/grāha) and their counter-forces as protective names, reflecting the text’s concern with warding off harmful influences through remembrance/recitation.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching on suffering and affliction?

By naming afflicting forces (graha/grāha) alongside a “destroyer of the grāha” and a “protector,” it frames misfortune as something that can be countered through dharmic protection practices and divine safeguarding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder to combine spiritual discipline (prayer/recitation, ethical living) with protective intentions—especially when facing fear, recurring obstacles, or perceived negative influences.