Shloka 11

Hayagrīva Pūjāvidhi: Root Mantra, Nyāsa, Maṇḍala-Devatā Worship, and Stotra

Devanagari script

शङ्खकुन्देन्दुधवलं मृणालरजतप्रभम् / गोक्षीरसदृशं तद्वत्सूर्यकोटिसमग्रभम् / शङ्खं चक्रं गदां पद्मं धारयन्तं चतुर्भुजम्

Transliteration

śaṅkhakundendudhavalaṃ mṛṇālarajataprabham / gokṣīrasadṛśaṃ tadvatsūryakoṭisamagrabham / śaṅkhaṃ cakraṃ gadāṃ padmaṃ dhārayantaṃ caturbhujam

Translation

Ta chiêm thấy Đức Chúa—trắng rạng như vỏ ốc, hoa nhài và vầng trăng; lấp lánh như sợi sen và bạc; tựa ánh sữa bò mà vẫn mang quang huy sánh với hàng chục triệu mặt trời—Ngài có bốn tay, cầm ốc tù và, đĩa luân (cakra), chùy (gadā) và hoa sen.

Word by Word

• शङ्खकुन्देन्दुधवलम्: white like conch, jasmine, and moon
• शङ्खकुन्देन्दुधवलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaṅkha + kunda + indu + dhavala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (शङ्खवत् कुन्दवत् इन्दुवत् धवलः)

• मृणालरजतप्रभम्: having the luster of lotus-stalk and silver
• मृणालरजतप्रभम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛṇāla + rajata + prabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (मृणालवत् रजतवत् प्रभा यस्य)

• गोक्षीरसदृशम्: resembling cow’s milk
• गोक्षीरसदृशम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: go + kṣīra + sadṛśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (गोक्षीरस्य सदृशः)

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Kriya-viseshana (Manner/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad-vat (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (उपमान/तुल्यत्व) — 'likewise/so too'

• सूर्यकोटिसमग्रभम्: having radiance equal to ten million suns
• सूर्यकोटिसमग्रभम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya + koṭi + samagra + bha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (सूर्यकोट्या समग्रं भाः/प्रभा यस्य)

• शङ्खम्: conch
• शङ्खम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṅkha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• चक्रम्: discus
• चक्रम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• गदाम्: mace
• गदाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gadā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• पद्मम्: lotus
• पद्मम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: padma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• धारयन्तम्: holding (bearing)
• धारयन्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhṛ (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (वर्तमान कृदन्त/active present participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन — 'bearing/holding'

• चतुर्भुजम्: four-armed
• चतुर्भुजम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: catur + bhuja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—द्विगु (चत्वारः भुजाः यस्य)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinatā-putra, describing the Lord’s form for contemplation)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dhyāna through vivid auspicious attributes purifies the mind and anchors devotion; the Lord’s brilliance signifies transcendence and sustaining power.

Vedantic Theme: Saguna Brahman as upāsya: form-based contemplation as a gateway to inner stillness and realization.

Application: In daily meditation, visualize the Lord’s form with clear attributes (conch, discus, mace, lotus) and cultivate steadiness by repeating the imagery with synchronized breath.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Geographic Context

Type: inner vision (dhyana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.34.12 (ornaments/attire); Garuda Purana 1.34.10 (Hayagriva contemplation context)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of describing Lord Vishnu’s form in the Garuda Purana?

This verse provides a dhyāna (contemplative) visualization of Viṣṇu—his purity, radiance, and divine attributes—supporting devotion and focused remembrance as a dharmic practice.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey and protection after death in Garuda Purana themes?

Though not describing Yama’s path directly, the verse emphasizes Viṣṇu-smaraṇa (remembrance of the Lord), a recurring Garuda Purana motif for spiritual protection and steadiness in transitional states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a short meditation: visualize the four-armed Lord holding śaṅkha, cakra, gadā, and padma, cultivating purity of mind, courage, discipline, and compassion in daily conduct.