Shloka 145
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
पुनीहि गात्रं सर्वदा मूढबुद्धे मन्त्राष्टकैर्जन्मतीर्थे पवित्रे / हृदि स्थितांमारैर्व्यमुद्रां विहाय कृत्वाभूषां विष्णुमुद्राभिरग्र्याम्
punīhi gātraṃ sarvadā mūḍhabuddhe mantrāṣṭakairjanmatīrthe pavitre / hṛdi sthitāṃmārairvyamudrāṃ vihāya kṛtvābhūṣāṃ viṣṇumudrābhiragryām
Ó de mente embotada, purifica sempre o teu corpo no tīrtha sagrado do teu nascimento por meio dos oito mantras. Abandona a Yama-mudrā guardada no coração e, em seu lugar, adorna-te com as supremas Viṣṇu-mudrās.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, as part of the Garuda Purana dialogue)
Concept: Śuddhi (purification) through mantra and tīrtha is to be oriented toward Viṣṇu; abandon Yama-associated marks and adopt Viṣṇu-mudrā as a sign of allegiance and protection.
Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā as antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi leading toward higher realization; shifting identification from fear/death (Yama) to refuge/grace (Viṣṇu).
Application: Maintain regular purification disciplines (snāna, mantra-japa); adopt Vaiṣṇava devotional markers/mudrās per one’s tradition; cultivate remembrance of Viṣṇu rather than fear-based religiosity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: sections on mantra, tīrtha, and Vaiṣṇava marks; thematic continuity with 3.28.141–143 emphasizing Viṣṇu-refuge
FAQs
This verse frames bodily and inner purification through an eightfold mantra-practice as a protective, dharmic discipline that aligns one with auspicious forces rather than death-associated influences.
By contrasting “Yama-mudrā” with “Viṣṇu-mudrās,” the verse symbolically urges a shift from fear/entanglement with Yama’s domain toward refuge in Viṣṇu, a recurring Preta Kanda theme for safe passage and spiritual protection.
Maintain regular purification disciplines—clean living, sacred recitation, and devotional gestures/intent—so one’s habits and mind incline toward Viṣṇu-centered dharma rather than anxiety and harmful tendencies.