Vīrya, Māyā/Prakṛti, Śrī’s Inseparability, Paramāṇu, and Hari’s Infinitude
नपुंसकं नवैव स्वरूपभूतमतो हरौ नास्ति विचिन्तनीयम् / स्त्रीबिंबभूते हरिरूपे खगेन्द्र श्रीरूपमस्तीति विचिन्तनीयम्
napuṃsakaṃ navaiva svarūpabhūtamato harau nāsti vicintanīyam / strībiṃbabhūte harirūpe khagendra śrīrūpamastīti vicintanīyam
โอ้ครุฑผู้เป็นเจ้าแห่งนก! ภาวะเป็นกลาง (นปุงสกะ) มิใช่รูปแท้โดยสภาวะ จึงไม่ควรนำไปจินตนาการในพระหริ แต่เมื่อพระหริปรากฏเป็นภาพลักษณ์ฝ่ายสตรีแล้ว พึงภาวนาถึง “ศรี” คือพระลักษมี—ความงามทิพย์และสิริมงคล—โดยแน่นอน
Lord Vishnu (Hari) speaking to Garuda (Khagendra)
Concept: Gender categories (especially ‘neuter’ as imagined intrinsic form) are not to be superimposed on Hari; when feminine imagery is used, contemplate Śrī as divine auspiciousness inseparable from Him.
Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa-apavāda (superimposition and negation); nirguṇa/guṇa language management; Śakti-Śaktimān abheda (inseparability of power and possessor).
Application: In worship and contemplation, avoid crude literalism about divine ‘gender’; treat feminine depictions as pointers to Śrī—auspiciousness, beauty, sovereignty—inseparable from Viṣṇu.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.3.20-23 (continuation on Śrī’s inseparability and innumerable feminine manifestations)
The verse teaches that when Hari is contemplated in a feminine manifestation, one should recognize Śrī as the divine auspicious splendor inseparable from that form, rather than projecting an inappropriate “neuter” concept onto Hari.
It distinguishes grammatical categories from divine reality: Hari’s essential nature is not to be reduced to “neuter,” while specific manifested forms (including feminine likeness) can be valid objects of contemplation with Śrī understood as present.
In worship and study, avoid literalizing grammatical gender as theology; instead, meditate on the intended devotional meaning—Hari’s manifested form and the inseparable auspiciousness of Śrī—while keeping the divine essence beyond limiting categories.