Shloka 2
Haristuti-saṅgraha: Devatā–Ṛṣi Praṇāma, Nāma-māhātmya, and Vairāgya from Deha-āsakti
तथापि तद्वै तव नाम पूर्वं भवेत्तदा पुण्यकरं भवेदिति / रुद्रादि कानां स्तवने नास्ति शक्तिस्तदा वक्तव्यं मम नास्तीति किं वा
tathāpi tadvai tava nāma pūrvaṃ bhavettadā puṇyakaraṃ bhavediti / rudrādi kānāṃ stavane nāsti śaktistadā vaktavyaṃ mama nāstīti kiṃ vā
ถึงกระนั้น หากได้เอ่ยนามของพระองค์ก่อน นามนั้นย่อมเป็นเหตุแห่งบุญกุศล หากไม่มีความสามารถจะสรรเสริญพระรุทระและเทพอื่น ๆ แล้วควรกล่าวอย่างไร—ควรกล่าวว่า “ข้าพเจ้าไร้กำลัง” หรือจะว่าอย่างอื่น?
Garuda (Vinata-putra) addressing Lord Vishnu
Concept: Nāma-ucchāraṇa, especially as the first recourse, is inherently puṇya-kara; inability to compose/recite stotras is not a barrier to devotion.
Vedantic Theme: Grace-accessibility (anugraha) through nāma; bhakti as a universal means irrespective of learning (adhikāra-bheda accommodated).
Application: If you cannot perform complex liturgy, begin with sincere repetition of the Lord’s Name; do not self-disqualify—choose a simple, steady practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring nāma-smaraṇa praise across devotional sections (conceptual link)
FAQs
This verse states that uttering the Lord’s Name first is itself merit-producing (puṇyakara), emphasizing nāma-smarana as an effective and accessible practice.
It explicitly raises the case of lacking the strength or ability to praise deities through stotras, implying that beginning with the Lord’s Name is a viable spiritual act even when formal worship is not possible.
When time, health, or resources are limited, prioritize sincere nāma-japa (remembrance/chanting of the Divine Name) rather than abandoning practice out of helplessness.