Shloka 13

Viṣṇu-dhyāna: Saguṇa Iconography, Nirguṇa Framework, and the Vāsudeva Insight

Devanagari script

चार्वङ्गुलीयसंयुक्तः सुदीप्तनख एव च / शरण्यः लसुखकारी च सौम्यरूपो महेश्वरः

Transliteration

cārvaṅgulīyasaṃyuktaḥ sudīptanakha eva ca / śaraṇyaḥ lasukhakārī ca saumyarūpo maheśvaraḥ

Translation

خوبصورت انگوٹھیوں سے آراستہ، روشن و تاباں ناخنوں والا؛ پناہ دینے والا، راحت بخشنے والا، اور نرم و لطیف صورت والا—یہی مہیشور (شیو) ہے۔

Word by Word

• चार्वङ्गुलीयसंयुक्तः: adorned with beautiful rings
• चार्वङ्गुलीयसंयुक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चारु + अङ्गुलीय + संयुक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (चारु-अङ्गुलीयैः संयुक्तः)

• सुदीप्तनखः: having brightly shining nails
• सुदीप्तनखः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु + दीप्त + नख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सुदीप्ताः नखाः यस्य)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• शरण्यः: refuge-giving; worthy of refuge
• शरण्यः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (शरणं दाति/शरणं योग्यः)

• लसुखकारी: maker of सुख (happiness)
• लसुखकारी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लसुख + कारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (लसुखं करोति)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• सौम्यरूपः: of gentle form
• सौम्यरूपः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौम्य + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सौम्यं रूपं यस्य)

• महेश्वरः: the Great Lord
• महेश्वरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महā + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śaraṇāgati to the gentle, beneficent Lord (Mahēśvara) who grants sukha and protection.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as compassionate refuge; divine tejas expressed as grace rather than terror.

Application: Cultivate surrender and ethical calm; use a simple daily Śiva-dhyāna (saumya-rūpa) to steady mind and reduce fear.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.92.16 (Hari-Hara essential unity)

Characters & Entities

• Maheshvara (Shiva)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing Maheshvara’s auspicious form in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes Śiva’s role as śaraṇya (refuge-giver) and sukha-kārī (bestower of well-being), presenting him as a protective and benevolent divine presence.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By highlighting the Lord as a source of refuge and comfort, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader theme that spiritual shelter in the divine alleviates fear and suffering associated with transitional states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate remembrance and devotion to the refuge-giving divine, and embody “śaraṇya” qualities yourself—offering protection, reassurance, and kindness to others.