Shloka 36

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

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

महावत्क्क्रो महात्मा च महाकायो महोदरः / महापादो महाग्रीवो महामानी महामनाः

Transliteration

mahāvatkkro mahātmā ca mahākāyo mahodaraḥ / mahāpādo mahāgrīvo mahāmānī mahāmanāḥ

Translation

Baginda berwujud gagah dan berjiwa agung—bertubuh besar dan berperut luas; berkaki besar dan berleher tegap; berwibawa serta berfikiran luas dan memerintah.

Word by Word

• महावत्क्रः: great-faced / great-mouthed
• महावत्क्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महावत्क्र (प्रातिपदिक; महा + वत्क्र/वक्त्र)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् वक्त्रम्/मुखम् यस्य). पाठे 'वत्क्क्र' = 'वक्त्र' इति ग्रहणम्

• महात्मा: great-souled
• महात्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + आत्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् आत्मा)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• महाकायः: huge-bodied
• महाकायः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाकाय (प्रातिपदिक; महा + काय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् कायः)

• महोदरः: big-bellied
• महोदरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महोदर (प्रातिपदिक; महा + उदर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महत् उदरम् यस्य)

• महापादः: great-footed
• महापादः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापाद (प्रातिपदिक; महा + पाद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् पादः)

• महाग्रीवः: thick-necked / great-necked
• महाग्रीवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक; महा + ग्रीवा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महती ग्रीवा यस्य)

• महामानी: high-minded / greatly honored
• महामानी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामानिन् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + मानिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् मानः/अभिमानः यस्य)

• महामनाः: great-minded
• महामनाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामनस् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + मनस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् मनः यस्य)

Speaker

Likely Lord Vishnu speaking to Garuda (Vinata-putra), in the descriptive-narrative style typical of Garuda Purana dialogues (exact attribution varies by recension).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Contemplation of the Lord’s immeasurable form as a support for grasping omnipresence and sovereignty.

Vedantic Theme: Virāṭ/viśvarūpa contemplation: the finite mind expands toward the infinite; Īśvara as all-encompassing order.

Application: Use form-contemplation (dhyāna) on divine vastness to reduce ego-contraction and cultivate humility and steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (mahā-epithets emphasizing cosmic magnitude)

FAQs

What is the importance of these ‘mahā-’ epithets in the Garuda Purana?

They function as theological descriptors—highlighting overwhelming power, vastness, and authority—so the listener recognizes the being described as awe-inspiring and spiritually significant.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing the majesty and dominance of higher cosmic authorities described in the Purāṇa, it frames the moral universe in which the soul’s karma and post-death journey are governed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate humility and ethical restraint: the verse contrasts human smallness with cosmic authority, encouraging dharmic conduct over pride (māna).