Shloka 139

Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi

Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

चूलेदवी क्व पलायिताभूत्सुमूढबुद्धे विष्णुपादं भजस्व / ज्वरादिभिः पीड्यमाने स्वपुत्रे गृहे स्थितं ब्रह्मदेवं च सम्यक्

Transliteration

cūledavī kva palāyitābhūtsumūḍhabuddhe viṣṇupādaṃ bhajasva / jvarādibhiḥ pīḍyamāne svaputre gṛhe sthitaṃ brahmadevaṃ ca samyak

Translation

சூலேதேவி எங்கே ஓடிப்போனாள்? மிக மயக்கமுற்றவனே, விஷ்ணுவின் பாதங்களைச் சரணடை. உன் மகன் காய்ச்சல் முதலிய துன்பங்களால் வாடும்போது, உன் இல்லத்தில் இருப்பவரான பிரம்மதேவனை முறையாகப் பூஜி.

Word by Word

• चूले-देवी: Cūla-devī
• चूले-देवी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चूल (प्रातिपदिक) + देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (cūle devī / cūla-sambandhinī devī)

• क्व: where
• क्व: Desha-adhikarana (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्व (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रश्नार्थक अव्यय (interrogative adverb of place)

• पलायिता: fled
• पलायिता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: पलाय् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘having fled’

• अभूत्: was/became
• अभूत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सु-मूढ-बुद्धे: O one of very deluded intellect
• सु-मूढ-बुद्धे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु (अव्यय) + मूढ (प्रातिपदिक) + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि (yasya buddhir su-mūḍhā saḥ)

• विष्णु-पादम्: Vishnu’s feet
• विष्णु-पादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (viṣṇoḥ pādam)

• भजस्व: worship/seek refuge in
• भजस्व: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• ज्वर-आदिभिः: by fever and the like
• ज्वर-आदिभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (jvarādayaḥ)

• पीड्यमाने: while being afflicted
• पीड्यमाने: Kala-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीड् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; सति-सप्तमी: ‘while (he) is being afflicted’

• स्व-पुत्रे: in/when (one’s) own son
• स्व-पुत्रे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (svaḥ putraḥ)

• गृहे: in the house
• गृहे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• स्थितम्: situated/placed
• स्थितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying ‘brahmadevam’)

• ब्रह्म-देवम्: Brahma-deva
• ब्रह्म-देवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (brahmā eva devaḥ / brahma-sambandhī devaḥ)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• सम्यक्: properly
• सम्यक्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda, as part of the teaching narrative)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In delusion, one chases unreliable protections; true refuge is at Viṣṇu’s feet, especially amid suffering and fear.

Vedantic Theme: Śaraṇāgati (surrender) and the stability of the supreme refuge; turning from avidyā to devotion.

Application: During crises, ground oneself in prayer/recitation and ethical action; avoid panic-driven superstition; cultivate steady Vishnu-bhakti.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: domestic shrine/inner household space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Vishnu-smriti as the saving support at critical moments (general)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Cūledavī

FAQs

What is the importance of taking refuge in Vishnu-pāda (Viṣṇu’s feet) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Viṣṇu-pāda as the reliable refuge when fear and suffering arise, contrasting it with the instability of lesser protective claims (here, Cūledavī ‘fleeing’).

How does this verse explain the right response to suffering (like fever) in the Garuda Purana?

It redirects the mind from panic and superstition to steady devotion and proper worship—especially within one’s own home—emphasizing correct spiritual orientation during distress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When illness or crisis strikes, avoid impulsive fear-based practices; instead, anchor the mind in disciplined prayer, remembrance of Viṣṇu, and sincere, orderly worship at home.