Shloka 2

Maṅgalācaraṇa, the Sages’ Inquiry, and Hari as Supreme with an Avatāra-Outline

Devanagari script

नमस्यामि हरिं रुद्रं ब्रह्माणं च गणाधिपम् / देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव मनोवाक्कर्मभिः सदा

Transliteration

namasyāmi hariṃ rudraṃ brahmāṇaṃ ca gaṇādhipam / devīṃ sarasvatīṃ caiva manovākkarmabhiḥ sadā

Translation

ข้าพเจ้าขอนอบน้อมอยู่เสมอด้วยใจ วาจา และการกระทำ แด่พระหริ พระรุทระ พระพรหมา และพระคณาธิปะ รวมทั้งพระเทวีสรัสวตี

Word by Word

• namasyāmi: I bow to
• namasyāmi: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nam (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; denominative/causative sense ‘to bow’ (नमस्यति)

• harim: Hari
• harim: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• rudram: Rudra (Shiva)
• rudram: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rudra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• brahmāṇam: Brahmā
• brahmāṇam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• gaṇādhipam: Gaṇādhipa (lord of the gaṇas)
• gaṇādhipam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + adhipa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (gaṇānām adhipaḥ = lord of the hosts)

• devīm: the Goddess
• devīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• sarasvatīm: Sarasvatī
• sarasvatīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarasvatī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed/also
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• manovākkarmabhiḥ: with mind, speech, and actions
• manovākkarmabhiḥ: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक) + vāc (प्रातिपदिक) + karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (मनः+वाक्+कर्म)

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kriya-viseshana (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

Speaker

Narrator/Compiler (invocatory verse before the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Trikaraṇa (mind-speech-action) devotion and reverence; harmonizing Hari with other deities in a respectful pantheon.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-bhakti as sādhana; unity-in-diversity (devatā as functional manifestations under the Supreme).

Application: Practice daily salutations and align intention, words, and actions; cultivate consistency between inner attitude and outer conduct.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana invocatory pattern: salutation to Viṣṇu and revered deities before narration

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Rudra (Shiva)
• Brahma
• Ganadhipa (Ganesha)
• Sarasvati

FAQs

What is the importance of this invocation in the Garuda Purana?

It serves as a maṅgalācaraṇa—an auspicious opening that seeks clarity, removal of obstacles, and divine support before the teaching begins.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it frames the teaching with the principle of alignment in mind, speech, and action—foundational for karma and spiritual progress discussed later in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Begin study or rituals with a brief prayer and practice integrity—keep thoughts, words, and deeds consistent to reduce harmful karma.