Shloka 1

Chandas-Nirṇaya: Āpīḍa to Gāthā—Pāda, Gaṇa, and Special Substitutions

Devanagari script

सामान्यलक्षणं पदचतुरूर्ध्वाभिरधस्य हि

Transliteration

sāmānyalakṣaṇaṃ padacaturūrdhvābhiradhasya hi

Translation

حقًّا، إن العلامة العامة للتعريف تُذكر بأنها أربع خطوات فوقًا وأربعًا تحتًا.

Word by Word

• सामान्यलक्षणम्: general characteristic/definition
• सामान्यलक्षणम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामान्य-लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक; सामान्य + लक्षण)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयसमासः (सामान्यं लक्षणं यस्य तत्)

• पदचतुरूर्ध्वाभिः: by/with the four upper padas (quarters)
• पदचतुरूर्ध्वाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद-चतुर्-ऊर्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक; पद + चतुर् + ऊर्ध्व)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (अभि-प्रत्ययान्ता/अभि-शब्दसम्बद्धा बहुव्रीहिवत् प्रयोगः), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (पदानां चतुरूर्ध्वाः—चार ऊर्ध्वपदाः/ऊर्ध्वभागाः)

• अधस्य: of the lower (part)
• अधस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थप्रयोगः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lakṣaṇa (definition) and systematic classification by positional measure (four steps above and below).

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa/śāstra as a means of ordered knowledge (vyavahāra-level precision).

Application: Use the stated positional rule as a diagnostic criterion when identifying/chunking metrical patterns.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.211 (chandas/prastāra-lakṣaṇa context)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of ‘sāmānya-lakṣaṇa’ in the Garuda Purana?

This verse signals that the text is giving a standard definition (general criterion) used to recognize or measure something consistently within the chapter’s framework.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by introducing a rule of definition/measurement (“four steps above and below”), it prepares the ground for precise descriptions that the Garuda Purana uses when explaining post-death states and ritual details.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use clear, consistent criteria when performing or studying rites and teachings—avoid guesswork by relying on standard definitions given in scripture and tradition.