Shloka 103

Brahmin Conduct, Purificatory Baths, and the Garuḍa–Nectar Episode

Illustrative Narrative

Devanagari script

पीतवस्त्रं घनश्यामं चतुर्भुजमनोहरम् । शंखचक्रगदापद्मधरं सर्वसुरेश्वरम्

Transliteration

pītavastraṃ ghanaśyāmaṃ caturbhujamanoharam | śaṃkhacakragadāpadmadharaṃ sarvasureśvaram

Translation

ପୀତବସ୍ତ୍ରଧାରୀ, ଘନମେଘ-ଶ୍ୟାମ, ଚତୁର୍ଭୁଜ ମନୋହର—ଶଙ୍ଖ, ଚକ୍ର, ଗଦା ଓ ପଦ୍ମ ଧାରଣକାରୀ—ସମସ୍ତ ଦେବମାନଙ୍କର ଈଶ୍ୱର।

Word by Word

• पीतवस्त्रम्: wearing yellow garments
• पीतवस्त्रम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीत-वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: पीतं वस्त्रं यस्य/पीतवस्त्रः (here as adjective to Hari)

• घनश्यामम्: dark like a raincloud
• घनश्यामम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घन-श्याम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); कर्मधारय: घन इव श्यामः

• चतुर्भुजमनोहरम्: charming with four arms
• चतुर्भुजमनोहरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्-भुज-मनः-हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: चतुर्भुजस्य मनो हरति इति

• शंखचक्रगदापद्मधरम्: bearing conch, discus, mace, and lotus
• शंखचक्रगदापद्मधरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शंख-चक्र-गदा-पद्म-धर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); उपपद-तत्पुरुष: शंखादीनि धरतीति

• सर्वसुरेश्वरम्: lord of all gods
• सर्वसुरेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-सुर-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: सर्वेषां सुराणाम् ईश्वरः

Speaker

Narrator (contextual description of Viṣṇu; exact dialogue speaker not specified in the provided excerpt)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: All are compounds (समास) functioning adjectivally (except सर्वसुरेश्वरम् also as substantive epithet); each in accusative singular agreeing with (हरिम्/रूपम्) understood from context.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu

FAQs

Which deity is described in this verse and how can we tell?

Viṣṇu is indicated by the classic four emblems—conch (śaṅkha), discus (cakra), mace (gadā), and lotus (padma)—along with the four-armed form and yellow garments.

What theological idea is conveyed by the epithet “sarvasureśvara”?

It asserts Viṣṇu’s supreme lordship over the devas, presenting him as the ultimate sovereign above the celestial hierarchy.

What is the devotional or ethical takeaway for a reader?

The verse encourages focused devotion by presenting a clear, meditative form (dhyāna-rūpa) of Viṣṇu—inviting reverence, steadiness of mind, and surrender to a supreme protector.