Shloka 10

Śālagrāma-lakṣaṇa: Viṣṇu Stotra, Vyūha/Avatāra Identification, and Temple-Fruition

Devanagari script

साब्जशङ्खगदाचक्र(पुरुषोत्तममूर्तये) / नमो(ऽधोक्षजरूपाय) गदाशङ्खारिपद्मिने

Transliteration

sābjaśaṅkhagadācakra(puruṣottamamūrtaye) / namo('dhokṣajarūpāya) gadāśaṅkhāripadmine

Translation

தாமரை, சங்கு, கதை, சக்கரம் தாங்கும் புருஷோத்தம மூர்த்திக்கு வணக்கம். அதோக்ஷஜ ஸ்வரூபனுக்கு வணக்கம்—கதை, சங்கு, சக்கரம், தாமரை ஆகியவற்றால் விளங்குபவனுக்கு.

Word by Word

• sa-abja-śaṅkha-gadā-cakra: with lotus, conch, mace, and discus
• sa-abja-śaṅkha-gadā-cakra: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (स- ‘सह’) + abja/padma (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन (सम्बोधनार्थे/विशेषण); तत्पुरुषः—‘अब्जशङ्खगदाचक्रैः सह’

• puruṣottama-mūrtaye: to the form of Puruṣottama
• puruṣottama-mūrtaye: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puruṣottama (प्रातिपदिक) + mūrti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘पुरुषोत्तमस्य मूर्तिः’

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Prayojaka/Discourse (Salutation/नमस्कार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; नमस्कारार्थक-निपातः

• adhokṣaja-rūpāya: to the form of Adhokṣaja
• adhokṣaja-rūpāya: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhokṣaja (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग ‘रूप’ आश्रितः; चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘अधोक्षजस्य रूपम्’ (to the form of Adhokṣaja); sandhi: namaḥ + adhokṣajarūpāya → namo'dhokṣajarūpāya

• gadā-śaṅkha-ari-padmine: to the one possessing mace, conch, discus, and lotus
• gadā-śaṅkha-ari-padmine: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक) + śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक) + ari (प्रातिपदिक; अरि=चक्र) + padmin (प्रातिपदिक; पद्मिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘गदां शङ्खं अरिं पद्मं च यस्य/येन’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressed/invoked as Puruṣottama/Adhokṣaja)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Adhokṣaja: the Lord is beyond sensory grasp yet approachable through devotion; Purushottama as the supreme refuge—salutation becomes surrender (śaraṇāgati).

Vedantic Theme: Paramātman as transcendent (niratiśaya) yet immanent; bhakti as a direct means to grace, culminating in liberation-oriented orientation.

Application: Use as a closing verse in daily worship to shift from form-meditation to surrender: ‘I cannot grasp You by senses; I bow and rely on You.’

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.45.6-9 (build-up through names culminating in Purushottama/Adhokṣaja)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Puruṣottama
• Adhokṣaja

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Puruṣottama/Adhokṣaja in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a protective and purifying salutation: remembering Vishnu as Puruṣottama (Supreme Person) and Adhokṣaja (beyond senses) centers the mind on the highest refuge, a recurring Garuda Purana emphasis for spiritual steadiness.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it points the soul toward divine refuge through remembrance and surrender. In Garuda Purana’s broader teaching, such devotion supports right conduct and inner clarity, which are foundational for a favorable post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a daily or situational mantra of refuge—especially during fear, grief, or ritual observances—by contemplating Vishnu’s four emblems as symbols of purity, protection, and spiritual order.