Shloka 14

Śiva-taught Mantra-Weapons, Mudrās, and Rakṣā-Rites

Removal of Kīlaka; Protection from Nāga, Viṣa, Graha, and Storms

Devanagari script

भैरवं पिण्डमाख्यातं विषपापग्रहापहम् / क्षेत्रस्य रक्षणं भूतराक्षसादेः प्रमर्दनम्

Transliteration

bhairavaṃ piṇḍamākhyātaṃ viṣapāpagrahāpaham / kṣetrasya rakṣaṇaṃ bhūtarākṣasādeḥ pramardanam

Translation

ปิณฑะที่เรียกว่า “ไภรวะ” กล่าวกันว่าขจัดพิษ บาป และเคราะห์ร้าย; คุ้มครองเขตศักดิ์สิทธิ์และปราบภูต รากษส เป็นต้น

Word by Word

• भैरवम्: Bhairava (as)
• भैरवम्: Karma (Object; apposition to पिण्डम्)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भैरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• पिण्डम्: the piṇḍa (lump)
• पिण्डम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• आख्यातम्: is called/declared
• आख्यातम्: Predicate (descriptive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + ख्या (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘(इदं) आख्यातम्’

• विषपापग्रहापहम्: remover of poison, sin, and ग्रह-afflictions
• विषपापग्रहापहम्: Visheshana (Qualifier of पिण्डम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विष + पाप + ग्रह + अपह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (विष-पाप-ग्रहाणाम् अपहः = नाशकः)

• क्षेत्रस्य: of the field/area
• क्षेत्रस्य: Sambandha (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• रक्षणम्: protection
• रक्षणम्: Karta/Predicate-noun (what it is)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भूतराक्षसादेः: of spirits, demons, etc.
• भूतराक्षसादेः: Sambandha (Genitive; of whom)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + राक्षस + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (भूत-राक्षस-आदीनाम्)

• प्रमर्दनम्: crushing/subduing
• प्रमर्दनम्: Karta/Predicate-noun (what it is)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र + मर्दन (प्रातिपदिक; from मृद्/मर्द् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda / Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ritualized offering (piṇḍa) can function as a protective talisman: it removes pāpa, counters viṣa, and pacifies/repels graha-like afflictions when empowered by devatā-tejas.

Vedantic Theme: Purification (śuddhi) and protection as preparatory supports for higher pursuits; pāpa is treated as a removable obscuration.

Application: Before important rites or life transitions, perform protective and purificatory steps; address ‘toxins’ (literal or behavioral) and harmful influences systematically.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: sacred-site

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana protective piṇḍa/mantra sequences around Bhairava and rakṣā-kriyā (same adhyāya context)

Characters & Entities

• Bhairava
• Grahas
• Bhutas
• Rakshasas
• Kshetra

FAQs

What is the importance of the Bhairava Piṇḍa in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents the Bhairava Piṇḍa as an apotropaic (protective) offering: it is credited with removing poison-like afflictions, sins, and graha-type disturbances, while safeguarding the ritual/holy space.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it highlights that correct ritual measures (like specific piṇḍas) are taught as supports that reduce obstructive forces—sin and hostile influences—that can trouble the deceased’s transition and the sanctity of the rites performed for them.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It emphasizes maintaining ritual purity and protective discipline in sacred acts—choosing appropriate offerings, safeguarding the worship space, and addressing harmful influences through dharmic means rather than fear or superstition.