Shloka 1

Mahākauśika Mantra, Nirṛti Bali, and Mahānavamī Victory-Rites

Devanagari script

त्रयस्त्रिंशदुत्तरशततमो ऽध्यायः ब्रह्मोवाच / महाकौशिकमन्त्रश्च कथ्यते ऽत्र महाफलः

Transliteration

trayastriṃśaduttaraśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ brahmovāca / mahākauśikamantraśca kathyate 'tra mahāphalaḥ

Translation

บทที่หนึ่งร้อยสามสิบสี่ เริ่มต้นแล้ว พรหมาตรัสว่า—ณ ที่นี้จะกล่าวถึง ‘มหาเกาศิกมนตร์’ อันให้ผลยิ่งใหญ่และทรงฤทธิ์มาก

Word by Word

• त्रयस्त्रिंशदुत्तरशततमः: the one hundred thirty-third (chapter)
• त्रयस्त्रिंशदुत्तरशततमः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रयस् + त्रिंशत् + उत्तर + शत + तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः (अध्यायविशेषणम्)

• अध्यायः: chapter
• अध्यायः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपदम्

• महाकौशिकमन्त्रः: the Mahākauśika mantra
• महाकौशिकमन्त्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाकौशिक + मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (महाकौशिकस्य मन्त्रः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• कथ्यते: is told/declared
• कथ्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपदम्; कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (passive)

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (Location/Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• महाफलः: great-fruited, highly beneficial
• महाफलः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् फलम् यस्य)

Speaker

Brahma

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-śravaṇa and mantra-upadeśa are presented as efficacious means when transmitted in a proper scriptural frame.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda-pramāṇa and śakti of nāma/mantra: sacred sound as a vehicle of transformation within pravṛtti and protective rites.

Application: Approach mantra practice with reverence, correct transmission, and ethical restraint; treat ‘great fruit’ as contingent on discipline and intention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: textual setting (Brahmā’s discourse)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.134.2 (Mahākauśika mantra text and bali instruction)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Mahākauśika Mantra

FAQs

What is the importance of the Mahākauśika mantra in the Garuda Purana?

This verse introduces the Mahākauśika mantra as “mahāphala”—a teaching presented for its great efficacy and spiritual results.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it frames the chapter as a mantra-teaching with great fruit, implying that sacred recitation and ritual knowledge are presented as supports for spiritual welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach mantra teachings with discipline and reverence—study the context, learn correct recitation from a qualified source, and apply it as a focused spiritual practice.