Shloka 70

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

श्वेतवर्णा समुद्दिष्टा कौशैयवसना तथा / अक्षसूत्रधरा देवी पद्मासनगता शुभा

Transliteration

śvetavarṇā samuddiṣṭā kauśaiyavasanā tathā / akṣasūtradharā devī padmāsanagatā śubhā

Translation

ଦେବୀ ଶ୍ୱେତବର୍ଣ୍ଣା ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଇଛି; ସେ କୌଶେୟ (ରେଶମ) ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପରିଧାନ କରନ୍ତି। ଶୁଭା ଦେବୀ ଅକ୍ଷସୂତ୍ର (ଜପମାଳା) ଧାରଣ କରି ପଦ୍ମାସନରେ ଆସୀନ।

Word by Word

• श्वेतवर्णा: white-complexioned
• श्वेतवर्णा: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास (श्वेतः वर्णः यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• समुद्दिष्टा: is described
• समुद्दिष्टा: Kriya (Predicate as participle/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+उद्+दिश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (Past Passive Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (is described/indicated)

• कौशेयवसना: wearing silk garments
• कौशेयवसना: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौशेय (प्रातिपदिक) + वसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (कौशेयम् वसनम् यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• तथा: also, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अन्वय (also/likewise)

• अक्षसूत्रधरा: holding a rosary
• अक्षसूत्रधरा: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (कृदन्त, धृ)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (अक्षसूत्रं धरति या); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• देवी: the goddess
• देवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पद्मासनगता: seated on a lotus-seat
• पद्मासनगता: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (कृदन्त, गम्)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (पद्मासनं गता); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• शुभा: auspicious
• शुभा: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Meditative visualization of the Devī-form of the mantra supports focused devotion and steadiness in japa.

Vedantic Theme: Saguṇa-upāsanā as aid to concentration; mantra and devatā as non-different in upāsanā (mantra-devatā aikya).

Application: Before japa, visualize Gāyatrī as described—white, silk-clad, holding rosary, seated on lotus—then chant with devotion and attention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: visualization/altar-space (dhyana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213 (Gayatri dhyana and benefits)

Characters & Entities

• Devi
• Padma (lotus seat)

FAQs

What is the importance of this Goddess-description in the Garuda Purana?

It provides a dhyāna-style iconographic form—white complexion, silk attire, rosary, lotus-seat—used to steady the mind for worship and japa.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on spiritual practice?

By prescribing a clear meditative visualization (dhyāna-lakṣaṇa), it supports disciplined remembrance, mantra repetition, and devotion—core methods taught across Purāṇic instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before japa or prayer, visualize an auspicious, calm divine form (lotus-seat, rosary) to cultivate purity, focus, and ethical steadiness in daily life.