Garuda Purana: Opening Invocation and Essential Shlokas
Complete lyrics with original text, transliteration, and meaning, 3 sections
Garud Puran
Mangalacharan (Invocation to Lord Vishnu)
Original
शान्ताकारं भुजगशयनं पद्मनाभं सुरेशं विश्वाधारं गगनसदृशं मेघवर्णं शुभाङ्गम् । लक्ष्मीकान्तं कमलनयनं योगिभिर्ध्यानगम्यम् वन्दे विष्णुं भवभयहरं सर्वलोकैकनाथम् ॥
Transliteration
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam | Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamyam Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham ||
Meaning / Translation
I bow to Lord Vishnu, who has a peaceful countenance, who rests on a serpent, who has a lotus emerging from His navel, and who is the Lord of the Devas. He is the support of the universe, vast like the sky, dark like a cloud, and possesses beautiful limbs. He is the beloved of Lakshmi, with eyes like lotuses, and is reached by yogis through meditation. I salute the Lord of all worlds, who destroys the fear of worldly existence.
The Glory of Vishnu's Words
Original
यथा पुराणेषु विष्णुवचनं परं पदम् । तथा गरुडपुराणेऽपि ज्ञानं मोक्षप्रदायकम् ॥
Transliteration
Yatha Puranasheshu Vishnu-vachanam param padam | Tatha Garuda-purane-pi jnanam mokshapradayakam ||
Meaning / Translation
Just as the words of Vishnu are the supreme goal in all the Puranas, so too is the knowledge contained within the Garuda Purana a provider of liberation (Moksha).
Dharma and Karma (The Essence)
Original
कर्मणा हीनः स जीवन् न प्राप्तोऽपि च मोक्षतः । धर्मसंस्कारयुक्तो हि मुक्तिं प्राप्नोति सात्त्विकः ॥
Transliteration
Karmanna heenah sa jeevan na praapto-api cha mokshatah | Dharma-samskara-yukto hi muktim praapnoti saattvikah ||
Meaning / Translation
One who lives without performing righteous actions (Karma) cannot attain liberation. However, one who is imbued with the sacred rites and values of Dharma attains liberation through Sattvic (pure) living.