Shloka 26
Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self
Antaryāmin
गन्धर्वाणां पतिश्चैव असूनां पतिरुत्तमः / पर्वतानां पतिश्चैव निम्नगानां पतिस्तथा
gandharvāṇāṃ patiścaiva asūnāṃ patiruttamaḥ / parvatānāṃ patiścaiva nimnagānāṃ patistathā
ఆయనే గంధర్వుల అధిపతి; సమస్త ప్రాణులకూ పరమాధిపతి. పర్వతాలకూ అధిపతి ఆయనే; అలాగే దిగువ ప్రాంతాల్లో ప్రవహించే నదులకూ అధిపతి ఆయనే.
Lord Vishnu (to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: The Supreme is the ‘uttama pati’ of all beings and the ordering principle behind both culture (music of Gandharvas) and nature (mountains/rivers).
Vedantic Theme: Unity behind multiplicity: one consciousness/power appearing as diverse domains; antaryāmin in all beings (bhūta).
Application: Practice contemplative seeing: recognize the sacred in art, life, and landscape; cultivate non-possessiveness and gratitude toward natural resources.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: natural-landscape
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: praise passages linking devotion with tīrtha and natural sanctity; Garuda Purana: cosmography where mountains and rivers are enumerated as sacred features
FAQs
It emphasizes divine sovereignty over both celestial beings (like Gandharvas) and the natural world (mountains and rivers), presenting the Supreme as the sustaining authority behind all realms.
By asserting a single supreme rulership over all beings, it frames the soul’s journey and destiny as governed by cosmic order (dharma) under the Supreme, rather than by random fate.
Cultivate reverence for life and nature as expressions of divine order, and align conduct with dharma—seeing responsibility toward beings and the environment as a spiritual discipline.