Shloka 13

Durgā Pūjā, 108-Nāma Japa, and Protective Homa in Preta-Kalpa Observance

Devanagari script

खङ्खघण्टान्वितौ चान्यौ ध्वजदण्डयुतौ परौ / अन्यौ परशुचक्राढ्यौ डमरुदर्पणान्वितौ

Transliteration

khaṅkhaghaṇṭānvitau cānyau dhvajadaṇḍayutau parau / anyau paraśucakrāḍhyau ḍamarudarpaṇānvitau

Translation

又有两手持海螺（śaṅkha）与铃；两手执旗幡与旗杆。另两手具斧（paraśu）与轮（cakra）；又两手持达玛鲁鼓与明镜。

Word by Word

• खङ्खघण्टान्वितौ: endowed with khaṅkha (conch-like instrument) and bell
• खङ्खघण्टान्वितौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: खङ्ख + घण्टा + अन्वित (कृदन्त; अन्वि+इ/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्; ‘endowed with conch(?) and bell’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• अन्यौ: two others
• अन्यौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• ध्वजदण्डयुतौ: bearing banner and staff
• ध्वजदण्डयुतौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ध्वज + दण्ड + युत (कृदन्त; यु/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्

• परौ: the other two
• परौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• अन्यौ: two others
• अन्यौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• परशुचक्राढ्यौ: possessing axe and discus
• परशुचक्राढ्यौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परशु + चक्र + आढ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्; ‘rich in/possessing axe and discus’

• डमरुदर्पणान्वितौ: endowed with drum (ḍamaru) and mirror
• डमरुदर्पणान्वितौ: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: डमरु + दर्पण + अन्वित (कृदन्त; अन्वि+इ/क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन; विशेषणम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine power manifests as auspicious sound (conch/bell/drum), authority (banner/staff), and discernment (mirror), alongside obstacle-destroying force (axe/discus).

Vedantic Theme: Outer symbols point to inner faculties: nāda (sound) as mind-gathering, cakra as dharma/discrimination, mirror as self-knowledge within devotional frame.

Application: Use the ‘mirror’ motif for self-audit; use ‘sound’ motifs (bell/conch) as cues to return attention to mantra; treat ‘banner’ as commitment to dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: inner-vision (dhyāna) / temple icon-space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.38.11-12 (arm-count and earlier weapons)

FAQs

What is the importance of describing Yama’s attendants and their implements in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes the organized, formidable nature of Yama’s retinue—symbolizing the certainty of karmic accountability and the structured process of the soul’s post-death journey.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By listing the attendants’ insignia and instruments, the text sets the scene for the soul’s transit under cosmic law—suggesting escort, control, and judgment rather than randomness after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live with ethical restraint and responsibility: the verse serves as a reminder that actions have consequences and that dharma-oriented living reduces fear around death and judgment.