Shloka 7

Viṣṇu-dharma Rakṣā: Nyāsa and Nārāyaṇa-Kavaca

Protective Invocation of Viṣṇu and His Avatāras

Devanagari script

त्रिविक्रमस्तथाकाशे स्थले रक्षतु वामनः / अटव्यां नरसिंहस्तु रामो रक्षतु पर्वते

Transliteration

trivikramastathākāśe sthale rakṣatu vāmanaḥ / aṭavyāṃ narasiṃhastu rāmo rakṣatu parvate

Translation

愿三步主（Trivikrama）在虚空中护佑我；愿侏儒化身（Vāmana）在大地上守护我。于林野，愿人狮（Narasiṃha）护我；于群山，愿罗摩（Rāma）护我。

Word by Word

• त्रिविक्रमः: Trivikrama (Vishnu)
• त्रिविक्रमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिविक्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• तथा: thus/also
• तथा: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-विशेषण/क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• आकाशे: in the sky
• आकाशे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• स्थले: on the ground
• स्थले: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• रक्षतु: may (he) protect
• रक्षतु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• वामनः: Vamana
• वामनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• अटव्याम्: in the forest
• अटव्याम्: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अटवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• नरसिंहः: Narasimha
• नरसिंहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरसिंह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (नर + सिंह)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/अन्वयार्थ

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• रक्षतु: may (he) protect
• रक्षतु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• पर्वते: on the mountain
• पर्वते: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda, within a protective stotra-style passage)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through remembrance of avatāras as protective powers in every place.

Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-sarvavyāptitva (the Lord’s pervasion) expressed via nāma-rūpa; devotion as a means to fearlessness.

Application: Use as a protective recitation when traveling or entering risky places; mentally assign each environment to a chosen avatāra and cultivate steadiness.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: cosmic-terrain mapping (vertical + landscape)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.196 (kavaca-style sequence invoking avatāras by place/direction/time)

Characters & Entities

• Trivikrama
• Vamana
• Narasimha
• Rama

FAQs

What is the importance of invoking Vishnu’s avatars in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions like a kavacha (protective prayer), assigning specific forms of Vishnu to guard the devotee in different terrains—sky, land, forest, and mountains—cultivating refuge (śaraṇāgati) and fearlessness.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey or fear of unseen dangers?

Though not describing Yama’s path directly, it reflects the Garuda Purana’s practical emphasis on spiritual safeguards: remembrance of Vishnu’s forms is presented as a protection against dangers encountered in various realms and circumstances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Recite the verse as a short daily protective remembrance—especially before travel or entering risky environments—while cultivating disciplined conduct (dharma) aligned with the divine protection invoked.