Shloka 34

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

महावीर्यो महाप्राणो मार्कण्डेयर्षिवन्दितः(२००) / मायात्मा मायया बद्धो मायया तु विवर्जितः

Transliteration

mahāvīryo mahāprāṇo mārkaṇḍeyarṣivanditaḥ(200) / māyātmā māyayā baddho māyayā tu vivarjitaḥ

Translation

स महावीर्यो महाप्राणो मार्कण्डेयर्षिवन्दितः; मायात्मा, मायया बद्ध इव दृश्यते, मायया तु विवर्जितः।

Word by Word

• महावीर्यः: of great valor/power
• महावीर्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महावीर्य (प्रातिपदिक; महा + वीर्य)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् वीर्यम् यस्य)

• महाप्राणः: great-souled / of great life-force
• महाप्राणः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाप्राण (प्रातिपदिक; महा + प्राण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् प्राणः/प्राणबलम् यस्य)

• मार्कण्डेयर्षिवन्दितः: praised by Sage Mārkaṇḍeya
• मार्कण्डेयर्षिवन्दितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मार्कण्डेय + ऋषि + वन्दित (प्रातिपदिक; वन्दित from वन्द् धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त/PPP) समासान्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मार्कण्डेय-ऋषिणा वन्दितः/मार्कण्डेयर्षिभिः वन्दितः—पाठभेदे)

• मायात्मा: whose nature is māyā / māyā-embodied
• मायात्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मायात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; माया + आत्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मायायाः आत्मा/मायामयः आत्मा)

• मायया: by māyā
• मायया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• बद्धः: bound
• बद्धः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त/PPP); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मायया: by māyā
• मायया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); विरोध/विशेषार्थक (but/indeed)

• विवर्जितः: free from / devoid of
• विवर्जितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + वर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त/PPP); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Īśvara’s relation to Māyā: he manifests the world-play and appears conditioned, yet is never truly bound by it.

Vedantic Theme: Māyā-adhyāsa vs. paramārtha: the Lord as māyā-śakti-viśiṣṭa, untouched by upādhis; distinction between appearance and reality.

Application: Cultivate viveka: recognize that bondage is often experiential/phenomenal; practice remembrance of the unbound Self/Lord amid changing circumstances.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (names emphasizing transcendence and power)

Characters & Entities

• Markandeya Rishi

FAQs

What is the importance of Māyā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Māyā as the divine power by which the Lord manifests the world and appears conditioned, while remaining intrinsically free—clarifying the difference between appearance and ultimate reality.

How does this verse explain bondage and liberation?

It teaches that true bondage is not in the Supreme; the Lord may appear ‘bound’ due to Māyā’s display, but in essence he is ever unconditioned—pointing seekers toward discerning reality beyond appearances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate detachment and discernment: recognize that changing experiences can ‘bind’ the mind, but inner freedom grows by seeing them as transient appearances rather than ultimate truth.