Shloka 70

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

श्वेतवर्णा समुद्दिष्टा कौशैयवसना तथा / अक्षसूत्रधरा देवी पद्मासनगता शुभा

Transliteration

śvetavarṇā samuddiṣṭā kauśaiyavasanā tathā / akṣasūtradharā devī padmāsanagatā śubhā

Translation

دیوی کو سفید رنگ والی کہا گیا ہے؛ وہ ریشمی لباس پہنتی ہیں۔ یہ مبارک دیوی اَکشَسوتر (جپ مالا) تھامے کمल آسن پر بیٹھی ہیں۔

Word by Word

• श्वेतवर्णा: white-complexioned
• श्वेतवर्णा: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्वेत (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास (श्वेतः वर्णः यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• समुद्दिष्टा: is described
• समुद्दिष्टा: Kriya (Predicate as participle/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+उद्+दिश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (Past Passive Participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (is described/indicated)

• कौशेयवसना: wearing silk garments
• कौशेयवसना: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौशेय (प्रातिपदिक) + वसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (कौशेयम् वसनम् यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• तथा: also, likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/अन्वय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अन्वय (also/likewise)

• अक्षसूत्रधरा: holding a rosary
• अक्षसूत्रधरा: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (कृदन्त, धृ)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (अक्षसूत्रं धरति या); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• देवी: the goddess
• देवी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पद्मासनगता: seated on a lotus-seat
• पद्मासनगता: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पद्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आसन (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (कृदन्त, गम्)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (पद्मासनं गता); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

• शुभा: auspicious
• शुभा: Karta (Subject-qualifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (देवी)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Meditative visualization of the Devī-form of the mantra supports focused devotion and steadiness in japa.

Vedantic Theme: Saguṇa-upāsanā as aid to concentration; mantra and devatā as non-different in upāsanā (mantra-devatā aikya).

Application: Before japa, visualize Gāyatrī as described—white, silk-clad, holding rosary, seated on lotus—then chant with devotion and attention.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: visualization/altar-space (dhyana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.213 (Gayatri dhyana and benefits)

Characters & Entities

• Devi
• Padma (lotus seat)

FAQs

What is the importance of this Goddess-description in the Garuda Purana?

It provides a dhyāna-style iconographic form—white complexion, silk attire, rosary, lotus-seat—used to steady the mind for worship and japa.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on spiritual practice?

By prescribing a clear meditative visualization (dhyāna-lakṣaṇa), it supports disciplined remembrance, mantra repetition, and devotion—core methods taught across Purāṇic instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Before japa or prayer, visualize an auspicious, calm divine form (lotus-seat, rosary) to cultivate purity, focus, and ethical steadiness in daily life.