Shloka 101
Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self
Antaryāmin
आकाशेन विहीनश्च वायुना परिवर्जितः / अग्निना च विहीनश्च उदकेन विवर्जितः
ākāśena vihīnaśca vāyunā parivarjitaḥ / agninā ca vihīnaśca udakena vivarjitaḥ
అతడు ఆకాశతత్త్వం లేనివాడూ, వాయువు నుండి విడిపోయినవాడూ; అగ్ని లేనివాడూ, జలము నుండీ వంచితుడూ.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, per the usual Garuda Purana dialogue frame)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Concept: Mahābhūta-viyoga: when ākāśa, vāyu, agni, and udaka no longer ‘support’ embodiment, the gross body cannot function—revealing its constructed nature.
Vedantic Theme: Pañcīkaraṇa-based body as transient; the self is not the elements; cultivate viveka (discrimination).
Application: Reflect on elemental composition to reduce fear of death; practice offering the elements back (bhūta-śuddhi contemplation) and live with simplicity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: elemental withdrawal and bodily dissolution (immediate sequence 1.15.101-1.15.102)
FAQs
This verse emphasizes that embodied life depends on the support of the elements; their withdrawal signifies a state beyond ordinary physical functioning, pointing to the transition from gross embodiment toward subtle existence.
By describing absence of space, air, fire, and water, the verse conveys a condition where the familiar elemental supports of bodily life are no longer operative—indicating a post-mortem transition in which the jīva is no longer sustained as in the living body.
Reflecting on the impermanence of the elemental body encourages detachment, ethical living (dharma), and timely performance of life-cycle duties and remembrance practices, rather than over-identifying with the physical form.