Shloka 124

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

वेत्ता व्याकरणं चैव वाक्यं चैव च वाक्यवित् / वाक्यगम्यस्तीर्थवासी(७६०) तीर्थस्तीर्थो च तीर्थवित्

Transliteration

vettā vyākaraṇaṃ caiva vākyaṃ caiva ca vākyavit / vākyagamyastīrthavāsī(760) tīrthastīrtho ca tīrthavit

Translation

هو العارف بفيَاكَرَنَة (علم النحو)، والعارف بالجمل ومعانيها؛ وهو الذي يدرك ما تنقله الكلمة. ساكنًا عند التيرثا (المعابر المقدسة)، يصير هو نفسه تيرثا—بل تيرثا التيرثات—وعارفًا حقًّا بالتيرثات.

Word by Word

• vettā: knower
• vettā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √vid (धातु) → vettṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तृ-प्रत्ययान्त कर्तृवाचक

• vyākaraṇam: grammar
• vyākaraṇam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyākaraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय

• vākyam: sentence; statement
• vākyam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• vākyavit: knower of sentences
• vākyavit: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक) + vit (प्रातिपदिक; √vid)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (वाक्यं वेत्ति इति)

• vākyagamyaḥ: understandable through sentences
• vākyagamyaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक) + gamya (प्रातिपदिक; √gam + यत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), विशेषण; ‘वाक्येन गम्यः’

• tīrthavāsī: dweller at a pilgrimage place
• tīrthavāsī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक) + vāsī (प्रातिपदिक; √vas + णिनि)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘तीर्थे वसति’ इति

• tīrthaḥ: pilgrimage place; ford
• tīrthaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tīrthaḥ: pilgrimage place
• tīrthaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• tīrthavit: knower of sacred places
• tīrthavit: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक) + vit (प्रातिपदिक; √vid)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (तीर्थं वेत्ति इति)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sacred speech-knowledge (vyakarana/vakya/artha) and tīrtha-sevā converge: one who truly understands becomes a purifier like a tīrtha.

Vedantic Theme: Jnana expressed as śuddhi (purification) and as presence; the knower becomes a locus of sacredness (sattva-pradhana).

Application: Study scripture with attention to meaning; undertake tīrtha-yātrā or serve sacred places; cultivate conduct that makes one’s presence purifying (truthful speech, humility, service).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.15.125-127 (Vishnu as pranava, gayatri, shalagrama, cosmic support)

FAQs

What is the importance of tīrtha (pilgrimage places) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that true tīrtha is not only a location but also right understanding and sanctifying conduct—one who lives at a tīrtha with scriptural insight becomes a purifier like the tīrtha itself.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it points to preparation through dharmic living and correct knowledge: refined understanding of sacred teaching and association with tīrtha help purify karma, supporting an auspicious post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study sacred teachings carefully (not just ritualistically), cultivate clarity in speech and meaning, and treat pilgrimage as inner purification—becoming a “living tīrtha” through conduct and understanding.