Shloka 26

Pretaśilā at Gayā: Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, Gadādhara’s Manifestation, and the Fruits of Śrāddha & Deity-Worship

Devanagari script

नागाष्टकं समभ्यर्च्य नागदष्टो विमुच्यते / ब्रह्माणं पूजयित्वा च ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

nāgāṣṭakaṃ samabhyarcya nāgadaṣṭo vimucyate / brahmāṇaṃ pūjayitvā ca brahmalokamavāpnuyāt

Translation

ผู้ใดสวดและบูชานาคาษฏกะด้วยความเคารพ ผู้ถูกงูกัดก็พ้นจากพิษภัยได้; และเมื่อบูชาพระพรหม ย่อมได้บรรลุพรหมโลก.

Word by Word

• नागाष्टकम्: the set of eight Nāgas
• नागाष्टकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक) + अष्टक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (अष्टौ नागाः/नागानां अष्टकम्)

• समभ्यर्च्य: having duly worshipped
• समभ्यर्च्य: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-अभि-√अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

• नागदष्टः: one bitten by a snake
• नागदष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाग (प्रातिपदिक) + दष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √दंश्/√दश्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता/विषय), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (नागेन दष्टः)

• विमुच्यते: is released
• विमुच्यते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• ब्रह्माणम्: Brahmā
• ब्रह्माणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• पूजयित्वा: having worshipped
• पूजयित्वा: Kriya (Gerundial action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √पूज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund)

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

• ब्रह्मलोकम्: Brahmā’s world (Brahmaloka)
• ब्रह्मलोकम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्मणः लोकः)

• अवाप्नुयात्: may attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-√आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Protective stotra-recitation can counter immediate peril; worship of Brahmā yields a meritorious post-mortem destination (Brahmaloka).

Vedantic Theme: Hierarchy of lokas as karmaphala; protective mantric power (śabda-śakti) within dharmic cosmos; yet Brahmaloka remains within saṃsāra (not final mokṣa).

Application: In emergencies, recite protective stotras with steadiness while seeking timely medical aid; for long-term spiritual aspiration, cultivate disciplined worship and sattvic conduct rather than mere fear-driven ritual.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic realm

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.86 (protective and fruit-giving worship); Garuda Purana motifs of Garuḍa vs nāgas and protection from serpent harm in broader Purāṇic lore

Characters & Entities

• Nāgas
• Brahmā
• Brahmaloka

FAQs

What is the importance of Nāgāṣṭaka in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents Nāgāṣṭaka as a protective devotional practice whose stated fruit is release from the danger/affliction associated with snakebite.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It links specific worship to specific destinations: devotion to Brahmā is said to lead to Brahmaloka, illustrating the Purāṇic idea that one’s ritual-devotional orientation shapes posthumous attainment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a reminder that disciplined prayer and reverent recitation are treated as meaningful practices in the text, while also relying on appropriate medical care for real-world emergencies like snakebite.