Shloka 44

Mahālakṣmī’s Forms, Brahmā’s Fourfold Origin, Vāyu’s Names and Soteriology, and Bhāratī’s Manifestations

Devanagari script

विष्णुबुद्धिरिति प्रोक्तं न तु तत्रस्थवेदनम् / अनाद्यनन्तकालेपि काम्येन हरिपूजनम्

Transliteration

viṣṇubuddhiriti proktaṃ na tu tatrasthavedanam / anādyanantakālepi kāmyena haripūjanam

Translation

Ang tinatawag na “Viṣṇu-buddhi” ay ang pagtuon ng isip at talino kay Viṣṇu, hindi lamang ang pagkamalay na naroroon sa isang lugar. Kahit sa panahong walang simula at walang wakas, ang pagsamba kay Hari na may pagnanais ng tiyak na bunga ay nananatiling kāmya, pagsambang may hinihingi.

Word by Word

• विष्णु-बुद्धिः: the notion of Viṣṇu
• विष्णु-बुद्धिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘विष्णोः बुद्धिः’

• इति: as
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Quotation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्त्यर्थक-अव्ययम्

• प्रोक्तम्: is stated
• प्रोक्तम्: Kriyā (क्रिया/Predicative participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः—क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा एकवचनम्; ‘प्रोक्तम्’ = is said

• न: not
• न: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध/Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्ययम् (negation)

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-अव्ययम्

• तत्रस्थ-वेदनम्: awareness of (the deity) being present there
• तत्रस्थ-वेदनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object—negated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः—‘तत्र स्थम् वेदनम्’ (knowledge/awareness located there)

• अनादि-अनन्त-काले: in beginningless and endless time
• अनादि-अनन्त-काले: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Time-location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनादि (प्रातिपदिक) + अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे सप्तमी एकवचनम्; कर्मधारय-समासः—‘अनादिश्च अनन्तश्च सः कालः’ (beginningless and endless time)

• अपि: even, also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: सम्भावना/अपि-कारार्थक-अव्ययम् (particle ‘even/also’)

• काम्येन: by desire-motivated (act)
• काम्येन: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे तृतीया एकवचनम्; करणम्; विशेषणम्

• हरि-पूजनम्: worship of Hari
• हरि-पूजनम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक) + पूजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘हरेः पूजनम्’ (worship of Hari)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇu-buddhi is an inward orientation, not mere situational awareness; kāmya (desire-motivated) worship remains bound even if performed for endless time.

Vedantic Theme: Nishkāma-bhakti/karma as purifier leading toward mokṣa; intention (saṅkalpa) determines bondage; critique of ritualism without inner transformation.

Application: Transform worship from transactional to surrender-based: examine motives, reduce desire for specific fruits, cultivate devotion as offering rather than bargaining.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.16.41-43 (context: correct vs inverted understanding)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Hari

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu-buddhi in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Vishnu-buddhi—making the mind and intellect rest in Vishnu—as the real spiritual criterion, superior to merely being in a holy place or having a superficial sense of “being there.”

How does this verse distinguish pure devotion from desire-based worship?

It states that worship done with specific worldly or otherworldly aims remains kāmya (fruit-seeking), even over vast time; true devotion is defined by the inner orientation toward Hari rather than transactional intent.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When performing puja, charity, or rites, prioritize inner surrender and remembrance of Vishnu over bargaining for outcomes—turn the act into steady God-centeredness rather than a results contract.