Shloka 61
Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana
वरं वरय भद्रं ते वरदोहमिहागतः / हरिणोदीरितं वाक्यं श्रुत्वा प्राह स्मितानना
varaṃ varaya bhadraṃ te varadohamihāgataḥ / hariṇodīritaṃ vākyaṃ śrutvā prāha smitānanā
“Pumili ka ng isang biyaya—nawa’y maging mapalad ito para sa iyo. Ako’y dumating dito bilang Tagapagkaloob ng biyaya.” Nang marinig ang mga salitang winika ni Hari (Viṣṇu), siya, na may ngiting mukha, ay sumagot.
Narrator (describing Hari/Vishnu speaking, then a smiling-faced lady replying)
Concept: The Lord personally invites the devotee to articulate her desire; divine grace is responsive and dialogical.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as varada: the personal aspect of Brahman engages the jīva through compassion and blessing, guiding desire toward auspicious ends.
Application: In prayer, state intentions clearly and ethically; receive opportunities as ‘varadāna’ moments and respond with sincerity and gratitude.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: varadāna episodes where the Lord tests/fulfills the devotee’s wish
FAQs
This verse frames a classic Purāṇic moment where Hari appears as varada (boon-giver), emphasizing that divine grace is granted through a purposeful, spoken request aligned with auspiciousness (bhadra).
Indirectly, it sets a narrative tone of divine instruction and grace: in the Garuda Purana, such dialogues often precede guidance on dharma, karma, and post-death outcomes, showing that right understanding can arise from divine speech.
Make your intentions explicit and auspicious: ask (varaya) for goals rooted in dharma—clarity, self-control, compassion—rather than harmful desires, reflecting the verse’s emphasis on благословение through right petition.