Shloka 16

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

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

Devanagari script

ॐ क्षुं(क्ष) नमः / स्मरेत्पाशं वामहस्ते विषभूतादि नश्यति / ॐ ह्रां (ह्रो) नमः / हरेदुच्चारणान्मन्त्रो विषमेघग्रहादिकान्

Transliteration

oṃ kṣuṃ(kṣa) namaḥ / smaretpāśaṃ vāmahaste viṣabhūtādi naśyati / oṃ hrāṃ (hro) namaḥ / hareduccāraṇānmantro viṣameghagrahādikān

Translation

“Oṃ kṣuṃ (kṣa), namaḥ.” Kapag inanyuan sa isip ang lubid na panghuli sa kaliwang kamay, napapawi ang lason, masasamang espiritu, at mga katulad nito. “Oṃ hrāṃ (hro), namaḥ.” Sa mismong pagbigkas ng mantrang ito, naaalis ang mapanganib na impluwensiya gaya ng masamang ulap, mga pagdurusa mula sa graha, at kaugnay na panganib.

Word by Word

• ॐ: Oṃ
• ॐ: Sambodhana/Mantra-invocation (सम्बोधन/मन्त्रारम्भ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (अव्यय/प्रणव)
• Form: प्रणव-उच्चारणम्; अव्यय (indeclinable sacred syllable)

• क्षुं: kṣuṃ (seed syllable)
• क्षुं: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्षुं (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षरम्; अव्यय (mantric seed syllable)

• क्ष: kṣa (variant seed syllable)
• क्ष: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्ष (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षर-पर्याय/पाठभेद; अव्यय

• नमः: salutation; homage
• नमः: Sambodhana/Prayojana (नमस्कारार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नमः-शब्दः; अव्यय-प्रयोगः (salutatory particle, used indeclinably)

• स्मरेत्: should remember/recite mentally
• स्मरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्; विधिलिङ्गार्थेऽपि आज्ञार्थः (let him remember)

• पाशम्: noose
• पाशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (कर्म), एकवचनम्

• वामहस्ते: in the left hand
• वामहस्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाम + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समासः (वामस्य हस्तः); पुंलिङ्गः, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः (अधिकरण), एकवचनम्

• विषभूतादि: poison, spirits, and the like
• विषभूतादि: Karta/Upasarga of effect (फल-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + भूत + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाहारार्थ-तत्पुरुषः/समाससमूहः; नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रायः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन-रूपेण अव्यक्तम् (collective: poison, spirits, etc.)

• नश्यति: perishes/is destroyed
• नश्यति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• ॐ: Oṃ
• ॐ: Mantra-invocation (मन्त्रारम्भ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ॐ (अव्यय/प्रणव)
• Form: प्रणव-उच्चारणम्; अव्यय

• ह्रां: hrāṃ (seed syllable)
• ह्रां: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह्रां (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षरम्; अव्यय

• ह्रो: hro (variant seed syllable)
• ह्रो: Mantra-component (मन्त्राङ्ग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह्रो (बीजमन्त्र/अव्यय)
• Form: बीजाक्षर-पर्याय/पाठभेद; अव्यय

• नमः: salutation
• नमः: Prayojana (नमस्कारार्थ)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नमः-शब्दः; अव्यय-प्रयोगः

• हरेत्: should remove/ward off
• हरेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (imperative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम् (हरतु/हरेत्: let it remove)

• उच्चारणात्: from (its) recitation
• उच्चारणात्: Apadana/Hetu (अपादान/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उद् + चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, पञ्चमी-विभक्तिः (अपादान), एकवचनम्; ‘उच्चारण’ = pronunciation/recitation

• मन्त्रः: the mantra
• मन्त्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• विषमेघग्रहादिकान्: poisonous clouds, seizures/afflictions, and the like
• विषमेघग्रहादिकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष + मेघ + ग्रह + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समाससमूहः (विषमेघाः, ग्रहाः, आदयः); पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, within the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mantra-japa and dhyāna as protective upāya against adharma-born disturbances (graha/bhūta/visha).

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-anugraha mediated through śabda (mantra) and saṅkalpa; fear is pacified by refuge in sacred sound.

Application: Daily/occasional japa of the given bījas with focused visualization (pāśa in left hand) during perceived danger, illness, or astrological affliction.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: ritual space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.20.17-20 (continuation of rakṣā-mantras against graha/bhūta/visha); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa (general theme: unseen agencies and their pacification)

Characters & Entities

• Bhūtas
• Grahas

FAQs

What is the importance of protective mantras in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents mantra-recitation and visualization as practical protective measures, specifically to counter poison, bhūta disturbances, and graha-related afflictions.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it emphasizes safeguarding the embodied person from harmful influences (poison, spirits, grahas), supporting ritual and dharmic stability that the Garuda Purana links with well-being and auspicious transitions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use disciplined, respectful mantra-japa with focused visualization as a traditional protective practice—especially during fear, illness, or perceived negative influences—preferably under guidance of a qualified teacher.