Shloka 54
Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa
नाराः प्रोक्ता आश्रयत्वाच्च तेषामतोपि नारायण एव वीन्द्र / मुक्ताश्च ये तु प्रपदंनु जग्मुरण्डोदकं यस्य कटाक्षमात्रात्
nārāḥ proktā āśrayatvācca teṣāmatopi nārāyaṇa eva vīndra / muktāśca ye tu prapadaṃnu jagmuraṇḍodakaṃ yasya kaṭākṣamātrāt
ఆయననే ఆశ్రయించుట వలన వారిని ‘నారాలు’ అని అంటారు; అందుచేత, ఓ పక్షిశ్రేష్ఠా, ఆయననే నిజంగా ‘నారాయణుడు’. ఆయన పాదాలను శరణు పొందినవారు విముక్తులు—ఆయన కటాక్షమాత్రంతోనే ఆద్య అండోదకం ఉద్భవించింది.
Lord Vishnu (Narayana) speaking to Garuda (Vinata-putra)
Concept: Śaraṇāgati at the Lord’s feet grants mukti; the same Lord is the transcendent creator whose glance manifests the cosmic waters.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as nimitta-upādāna (efficient/material) cause in Purāṇic idiom; surrender (prapatti) as a direct means to liberation.
Application: Practice pāda-sevā-bhāva: mentally place oneself at Viṣṇu’s feet during japa; contemplate creation’s dependence on Īśvara to reduce fear and strengthen surrender.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: cosmic ocean
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated glorification of Viṣṇu’s feet as refuge and of cosmic origination motifs (general parallel)
FAQs
This verse links ‘Nārāyaṇa’ to being the ultimate refuge (āśraya) of ‘nāra’—explaining the divine name as the One in whom all take shelter.
It emphasizes prapatti—going to the Lord’s feet—as the liberating route (moksha), shifting focus from fear-based afterlife concerns to ultimate refuge in Narayana.
Cultivate daily remembrance and surrender (prapatti) through ethical living, prayer, and devotion—treating Narayana as the primary refuge in hardship and at life’s end.