Shloka 36

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

महावत्क्क्रो महात्मा च महाकायो महोदरः / महापादो महाग्रीवो महामानी महामनाः

Transliteration

mahāvatkkro mahātmā ca mahākāyo mahodaraḥ / mahāpādo mahāgrīvo mahāmānī mahāmanāḥ

Translation

وہ عظیم چہرے والا اور مہاتما ہے؛ عظیم الجثہ اور وسیع شکم والا ہے۔ اس کے قدم بڑے، گردن عظیم؛ وہ جلال والا اور عظیم ذہن والا ہے۔

Word by Word

• महावत्क्रः: great-faced / great-mouthed
• महावत्क्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महावत्क्र (प्रातिपदिक; महा + वत्क्र/वक्त्र)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् वक्त्रम्/मुखम् यस्य). पाठे 'वत्क्क्र' = 'वक्त्र' इति ग्रहणम्

• महात्मा: great-souled
• महात्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + आत्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् आत्मा)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• महाकायः: huge-bodied
• महाकायः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाकाय (प्रातिपदिक; महा + काय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् कायः)

• महोदरः: big-bellied
• महोदरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महोदर (प्रातिपदिक; महा + उदर)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महत् उदरम् यस्य)

• महापादः: great-footed
• महापादः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापाद (प्रातिपदिक; महा + पाद)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् पादः)

• महाग्रीवः: thick-necked / great-necked
• महाग्रीवः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक; महा + ग्रीवा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महती ग्रीवा यस्य)

• महामानी: high-minded / greatly honored
• महामानी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामानिन् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + मानिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् मानः/अभिमानः यस्य)

• महामनाः: great-minded
• महामनाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामनस् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + मनस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महद् मनः यस्य)

Speaker

Likely Lord Vishnu speaking to Garuda (Vinata-putra), in the descriptive-narrative style typical of Garuda Purana dialogues (exact attribution varies by recension).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Contemplation of the Lord’s immeasurable form as a support for grasping omnipresence and sovereignty.

Vedantic Theme: Virāṭ/viśvarūpa contemplation: the finite mind expands toward the infinite; Īśvara as all-encompassing order.

Application: Use form-contemplation (dhyāna) on divine vastness to reduce ego-contraction and cultivate humility and steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15 (mahā-epithets emphasizing cosmic magnitude)

FAQs

What is the importance of these ‘mahā-’ epithets in the Garuda Purana?

They function as theological descriptors—highlighting overwhelming power, vastness, and authority—so the listener recognizes the being described as awe-inspiring and spiritually significant.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing the majesty and dominance of higher cosmic authorities described in the Purāṇa, it frames the moral universe in which the soul’s karma and post-death journey are governed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate humility and ethical restraint: the verse contrasts human smallness with cosmic authority, encouraging dharmic conduct over pride (māna).