Shloka 118

Veṅkaṭeśa-Māhātmya: Varāha Prelude, Descent of Śeṣācala, Svāmipuṣkariṇī and the Network of Tīrthas

with Dāna-Lakṣaṇas

Devanagari script

शेषवद्वदनं तस्य तस्मिंश्चक्रद्वयं स्मृतम् / फलं तमेकचक्रेण संयुतं वल्मिकान्वितम्

Transliteration

śeṣavadvadanaṃ tasya tasmiṃścakradvayaṃ smṛtam / phalaṃ tamekacakreṇa saṃyutaṃ valmikānvitam

Translation

దాని ముఖం శేషనాగుని వలె అని చెప్పబడింది; దానిపై రెండు చక్రాలు ఉన్నట్లు స్మరించబడింది. ఆ ఫలం ఒకే చక్రంతో సంయుక్తమై, వల్మీకం (చీమల గుట్ట) గుర్తుతో ఉంటుంది.

Word by Word

• शेषवत्: like Śeṣa
• शेषवत्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शेषवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्-प्रयोग/तुल्योपमा; नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन-विशेषणवत् (वदनम् प्रति)

• वदनम्: face/mouth
• वदनम्: विषय/वर्ण्य (Described item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular

• तस्य: of it/of him
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; Genitive singular

• तस्मिन्: in that
• तस्मिन्: अधिकरण (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular

• चक्रद्वयम्: a pair of wheels/discs
• चक्रद्वयम्: विषय/वर्ण्य (Described item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्र-द्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (द्वे चक्रे)

• स्मृतम्: is said/remembered
• स्मृतम्: विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; past passive participle

• फलम्: fruit
• फलम्: विषय/वर्ण्य (Described item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तम्: that
• तम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular (refers to fruit/form)

• एकचक्रेण: with one wheel/disc
• एकचक्रेण: करण (Instrument/association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक-चक्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; द्विगु (एकं चक्रम्)

• संयुतम्: joined/connected
• संयुतम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-युज् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; agrees with तम्/फलम्

• वल्मिकान्वितम्: accompanied by an anthill
• वल्मिकान्वितम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वल्मिक-अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/प्रथमा, एकवचन; agrees with फलम्; तत्पुरुष (वल्मिकेन अन्वितम् = accompanied by an anthill)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Moksha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Esoteric iconography of the subtle form: Śeṣa-like mouth, wheels (cakra), and anthill mark as signs of latent power and cosmic structure.

Vedantic Theme: Microcosm–macrocosm correspondence: the individual’s subtle constitution mirrors cosmic principles (Śeṣa, cakra).

Application: Approach symbolic descriptions as meditative supports: contemplate stability (Śeṣa), cyclicity (cakra), and latent potency (valmīka/anthill) as inner disciplines—steadiness, regulated practice, and patience.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: symbolic body-map / yantric iconography

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.26.117 (parama-loka attainment); Garuda Purana 3.26.119-121 (śeṣa-mūrti types; chakra progression)

Characters & Entities

• Shesha (Ananta)

FAQs

What is the importance of Śeṣa-like imagery in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses Śeṣa as a benchmark for a powerful, serpentine form, indicating a formidable, otherworldly feature within the Purana’s descriptive cosmology.

How does this verse relate to the Garuda Purana’s broader depictions of subtle realms?

By describing unusual forms—wheels, a Śeṣa-like mouth, and an anthill mark—the text signals that the narrative is mapping symbolic and non-ordinary realities rather than everyday physical geography.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat scriptural imagery as guidance for contemplation: reflect on impermanence and cosmic order, and align daily conduct with dharma rather than getting lost in literalism.