Shloka 54

Akālamṛtyu: Preta-state Categories and the Nārāyaṇa-bali / Ekoddiṣṭa Remedy

Devanagari script

नासायां शतपत्त्रं च कमलं नाभिमण्डले / वृन्ताकं वृषणद्वन्द्वे लिङ्गे स्याद्गृञ्जनं शुभम्

Transliteration

nāsāyāṃ śatapattraṃ ca kamalaṃ nābhimaṇḍale / vṛntākaṃ vṛṣaṇadvandve liṅge syādgṛñjanaṃ śubham

Translation

ముక్కులో శతపత్ర కమలం ఉంది; నాభిమండలంలో కమలం ఉంది; వృషణద్వయంలో వంకాయవలె కేంద్రం ఉంది; మరియు లింగంలో శుభమైన గృఞ్జనం ఉంటుంది।

Word by Word

• नासायाम्: in/at the nose
• नासायाम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नासा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular

• शतपत्त्रम्: a hundred-petalled (lotus)
• शतपत्त्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत-पत्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शतस्य पत्त्राणि यस्य)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय; conjunction

• कमलम्: lotus
• कमलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular

• नाभिमण्डले: in the navel-region
• नाभिमण्डले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाभि-मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (नाभ्याः मण्डलम्)

• वृन्ताकम्: eggplant (brinjal)
• वृन्ताकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृन्ताक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular

• वृषणद्वन्द्वे: in the pair of testicles
• वृषणद्वन्द्वे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृषण-द्वन्द्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वृषणयोः द्वन्द्वः)

• लिङ्गे: in the genital organ
• लिङ्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन; Locative singular

• स्यात्: should be/should be placed
• स्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; 3rd person singular optative

• गृञ्जनम्: carrot (gṛñjana)
• गृञ्जनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृञ्जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nom/Acc singular

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; agrees with गृञ्जनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Ekoddishta

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: Within preta-period rites where specific correspondences are contemplated/served.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The body (even subtle/constructed) is mapped through symbolic correspondences (lotus-centers etc.), implying an ordered cosmology of embodiment.

Vedantic Theme: Upādhi-structured experience; symbolic ‘lotus’ centers hint at inner order while remaining within saṃsāric embodiment; discrimination between symbol and Self.

Application: Approach ritual prescriptions with understanding of their symbolic language; cultivate detachment and reverence rather than mere literalism.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.40 item-by-item organ correspondences (surrounding verses).; Garuda Purana discussions of subtle body and channels/centers in related didactic passages (where present).

Characters & Entities

• Lord Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of describing lotuses and inner centers in the Garuda Purana?

This verse maps symbolic inner loci (lotus-centers) in the body, supporting the text’s broader teaching that the subtle body has specific structures relevant to post-death experience and spiritual discipline.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

By pointing to subtle anatomical ‘centers,’ the verse reinforces that the jīva’s experience after death is mediated through a subtle body, not merely the gross physical form, aligning with the Preta Kanda’s explanations of post-mortem states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the body as a sacred instrument: cultivate purity, restraint, and mindful practice (e.g., breath-awareness), since the Purana links inner structure and spiritual outcomes rather than viewing life as only physical pleasure.