Shloka 23
Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self
Antaryāmin
वनस्पतीनां च पतिरनिलस्य पतिस्तथा / अनलस्य पतिश्चैव यमस्य पतिरेव च
vanaspatīnāṃ ca patiranilasya patistathā / analasya patiścaiva yamasya patireva ca
Baginda ialah Tuhan segala pokok dan tumbuh-tumbuhan; demikian juga Tuhan angin, Tuhan api, dan sesungguhnya Tuhan bagi Yama juga.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Sarveśvaratva—one Supreme Lord presides over nature, elements, and even Yama.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as antaryāmin and nimitta-upādāna-kāraṇa (governor and ground of all).
Application: Cultivate single-point devotion and surrender, seeing all powers (wind, fire, death) as subordinate to the Supreme; reduce fear of death through God-centered remembrance.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Brahma-khanda/Vishnu-stuti sections): recurring ‘patir…patir…’ sovereignty lists; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: Yama’s role as dharma-administrator under the Supreme
FAQs
This verse frames Yama’s jurisdiction over death and judgment as subordinate to the Supreme Lord, emphasizing that divine sovereignty transcends even the ruler of the dead.
By stating that even Yama has a higher Lord, the verse implies that the soul’s post-death journey and judgments operate within a larger divine order, not as an independent or ultimate power.
Cultivate dharma and devotion to the Supreme, remembering that fear of death and punishment is tempered by alignment with higher divine order through ethical living and sincere spiritual practice.