Shloka 10

Aśokāṣṭamī and Mahānavamī: Durgā Navamī-vrata, mantra-nyāsa, forms, weapons, and offerings

Devanagari script

ध्वजं डमरुकं पाशं वामहस्तेषु बिभ्रती / शक्तिं च मुद्गरं शूलं वज्रं खङ्गं तथाङ्कुशम्

Transliteration

dhvajaṃ ḍamarukaṃ pāśaṃ vāmahasteṣu bibhratī / śaktiṃ ca mudgaraṃ śūlaṃ vajraṃ khaṅgaṃ tathāṅkuśam

Translation

वामहस्तेषु ध्वजं डमरुकं पाशं बिभ्रती। शक्तिं मुद्गरं शूलं वज्रं खङ्गं तथाङ्कुशं च धारयति।

Word by Word

• ध्वजम्: a banner/flag
• ध्वजम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्वज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular masculine

• डमरुकम्: a ḍamaru drum
• डमरुकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: डमरुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular neuter

• पाशम्: a noose
• पाशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular masculine

• वामहस्तेषु: in the left hands
• वामहस्तेषु: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), बहुवचन — Locative plural masculine; ‘वाम-हस्त’ = left hands

• बिभ्रती: bearing/holding
• बिभ्रती: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भृ (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्यय कृदन्त (present active participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन — ‘bearing/holding’ (she who holds)

• शक्तिम्: a spear/śakti weapon
• शक्तिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular feminine

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (निपात)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपातः — conjunction ‘and’

• मुद्गरम्: a mace/hammer
• मुद्गरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्गर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular masculine

• शूलम्: a trident
• शूलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-प्रयोगे, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular

• वज्रम्: a thunderbolt
• वज्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वज्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular neuter

• खङ्गम्: a sword
• खङ्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular masculine

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (Addition)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् — indeclinable ‘thus/also’

• अङ्कुशम्: a goad
• अङ्कुशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्कुश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन — Accusative singular masculine

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra, per the common Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine power (śakti) upholds order: restraint, guidance, and force are all instruments of protection when aligned with righteousness.

Vedantic Theme: Śakti as functional aspect of Īśvara in the world; protection of dharma as expression of cosmic order (ṛta/dharma).

Application: Contemplate each emblem as an inner faculty: banner (resolve), ḍamaru (rhythm of practice), pāśa (self-restraint), śakti/gadā/śūla/vajra/khaṅga/aṅkuśa (discernment, courage, cutting ignorance, directing the mind).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: iconographic visualization within worship/meditation

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.133.9 (worship supports and implements)

FAQs

What is the importance of divine weapons (āyudhas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse lists sacred implements as symbolic powers—restraint (pāśa), control (aṅkuśa), discernment and cutting of ignorance (khaṅga), and protective strength (śūla, vajra)—used to convey spiritual protection and mastery over भय (fear) and adharma.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: by emphasizing protective and disciplinary powers, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that the soul’s post-death journey is aided by dharma, devotion, and right conduct—forces that ‘restrain’ sin and ‘guide’ the being toward auspicious states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the listed weapons as inner disciplines: restrain harmful impulses (pāśa), steer the mind back to ethics (aṅkuśa), cut भ्रम (confusion) with study (khaṅga), and cultivate steady courage and protection through prayer and dharmic living.