Shloka 8

Viṣṇu-pūjāvidhi: Śuddhi, Nyāsa, Dhyāna, Āsana-devatā Pūjā, Upacāras, and Stotra

Devanagari script

न्यासं कृत्वात्मनो मुद्रां दर्शयेद्विजितात्मवान्

Transliteration

nyāsaṃ kṛtvātmano mudrāṃ darśayedvijitātmavān

Translation

న్యాసం చేసిన తరువాత జితాత్ముడైన సాధకుడు తనకు విధించిన ముద్రను ప్రదర్శించవలెను.

Word by Word

• न्यासम्: nyāsa
• न्यासम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: न्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययकृदन्त; पूर्वक्रिया

• आत्मनः: of oneself
• आत्मनः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मुद्राम्: mudrā (hand-gesture)
• मुद्राम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दर्शयेत्: should show
• दर्शयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• विजितात्मवान्: one who has conquered the self
• विजितात्मवान्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विजित + आत्मन् + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (यस्य आत्मा विजितः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, typical Garuḍa Purāṇa dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vijitātmā (self-controlled) is prerequisite: ritual efficacy is tied to inner discipline; mudrā embodies intention and containment of energy/attention.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and ekāgratā as supports for upāsanā; outer act mirrors inner restraint.

Application: After preparatory practices, pause, steady breath, and hold the mudrā with mindful attention; cultivate self-control (speech, senses, habits) to support consistent sādhana.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.31.4-7 (nyāsa sequence leading to mudrā)

FAQs

What is the importance of nyāsa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats nyāsa as a prerequisite purification/installation step—one establishes mantra-power in the body-mind before proceeding with the ritual act (such as showing the appropriate mudrā).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes inner discipline (vijitātmavān). In Garuḍa Purāṇa’s broader teaching, ritual efficacy and spiritual progress depend on self-mastery rather than mechanical performance alone.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before japa or pūjā, pause for a brief nyāsa-like centering (mentally placing the mantra in the heart) and keep the practice guided by self-control and steadiness rather than haste.