Shloka 9

Viṣṇu-dhyāna: Saguṇa Iconography, Nirguṇa Framework, and the Vāsudeva Insight

Devanagari script

श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभयुतो लक्ष्मीवन्द्येक्षणान्वितः / अमिमादिगुणैर्युक्तः सृष्टिसंहारकारकः

Transliteration

śrīvatsakaustubhayuto lakṣmīvandyekṣaṇānvitaḥ / amimādiguṇairyuktaḥ sṛṣṭisaṃhārakārakaḥ

Translation

Adornado com a marca de Śrīvatsa e a joia Kaustubha, trazendo o olhar venerado por Lakṣmī; dotado de poderes como aṇimā e os demais, Ele é quem realiza a criação e a dissolução do universo.

Word by Word

• श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभयुतः: possessing Śrīvatsa and Kaustubha
• श्रीवत्सकौस्तुभयुतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीवत्स (प्रातिपदिक) + कौस्तुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + युत (धातु √यु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (श्रीवत्स-कौस्तुभौ) + तृतीया-सम्बन्धार्थकः ‘युत’ (युक्तः)

• लक्ष्मीवन्द्येक्षणान्वितः: endowed with eyes revered by Lakṣmī
• लक्ष्मीवन्द्येक्षणान्वितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लक्ष्मी (प्रातिपदिक) + वन्द्य (धातु √वन्द्, यत्/ण्यत्-कृत्) + ईक्षण (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (धातु √इ, उपसर्ग अनु, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: (लक्ष्म्या वन्द्यं ईक्षणं) + तेन अन्वितः; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• अमिमादिगुणैः: with qualities such as ‘amimā’ etc.
• अमिमादिगुणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अमिमा (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अमिमादयः गुणाः)

• युक्तः: endowed; possessed of
• युक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (धातु √युज्, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (PPP)

• सृष्टिसंहारकारकः: the cause/agent of creation and dissolution
• सृष्टिसंहारकारकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक) + संहार (प्रातिपदिक) + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सृष्टेः संहारस्य च कारकः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction/discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is both immanent and transcendent: bearer of auspicious marks, possessor of siddhis, and the efficient cause of sṛṣṭi-saṃhāra.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as abhinna-nimitta-upādāna-kāraṇa (non-different efficient/material cause in many Vedāntic readings), with māyā/siddhi as dependent powers.

Application: Contemplate impermanence of manifested forms during daily change (gain/loss) and anchor the mind in the unchanging Lord who governs cycles—reducing anxiety and egoism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic/metaphysical locus

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.92.10-11 (immanence in hearts; eternal Lord)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Lakshmi
• Śrīvatsa
• Kaustubha

FAQs

What is the importance of Śrīvatsa and Kaustubha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses Śrīvatsa and the Kaustubha jewel as identifying marks of Lord Viṣṇu, emphasizing His supreme, recognizable divinity and auspiciousness for devotional remembrance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by establishing Viṣṇu as the ultimate cause behind creation and dissolution, it frames liberation as turning toward the Supreme who transcends the cycles that bind the soul.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use this verse for daily remembrance (smaraṇa) of Viṣṇu’s auspicious form and sovereignty, cultivating devotion and detachment from transient creation and destruction.