Shloka 3

Garuḍa’s Return to Vaikuṇṭha and the Comprehensive Inquiry into Death-Rites and the Preta’s Journey

Devanagari script

सूत जानासि सकलं वस्तु व्यासप्रसादतः / तेन नः सन्दिहानानां सन्देहं छेत्तुमर्हसि

Transliteration

sūta jānāsi sakalaṃ vastu vyāsaprasādataḥ / tena naḥ sandihānānāṃ sandehaṃ chettumarhasi

Translation

يا سوتا، بفضل نعمة فياسا أنت تعلم الموضوع كلَّه على تمامه؛ فلهذا، نحن الذين اعترانا الشكّ، يليق بك أن تقطع شكّنا وتزيل حيرتنا.

Word by Word

• सूत: O Sūta
• सूत: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन

• जानासि: you know
• जानासि: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• सकलम्: all/entire
• सकलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सकल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• वस्तु: the matter/thing
• वस्तु: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• व्यासप्रसादतः: through Vyāsa’s grace
• व्यासप्रसादतः: Hetu/Apadana (Cause/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास + प्रसाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (व्यासस्य प्रसादः), पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तसिल्-अर्थे ‘-तः’

• तेन: therefore/by that
• तेन: Hetu (Reason/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन, पुं/नपुंसक

• नः: of us/our
• नः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन; (एन्क्लिटिक)

• सन्दिहानानाम्: of (us) who are doubting
• सन्दिहानानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive—qualifying ‘us’/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सन्दिह् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (शानच्), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘doubting’

• सन्देहम्: doubt
• सन्देहम्: Karman (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सन्देह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• छेत्तुम्: to cut off (resolve)
• छेत्तुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: छिद् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive), ‘to cut/resolve’

• अर्हसि: you ought/are fit
• अर्हसि: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

The assembled sages (ṛṣis) addressing Sūta

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Epistemic humility and reliance on guru-prasāda: the qualified teacher removes saṃdeha (doubt) through authoritative exposition.

Vedantic Theme: Pramāṇa and adhikāritva: śāstra taught by a competent ācārya dispels avidyā’s form as doubt; guru-paramparā as the conduit of liberating knowledge.

Application: Approach a trustworthy teacher/text lineage; articulate doubts clearly; seek resolution through systematic study rather than speculation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: assembly / discourse setting (implicit Naimiṣa)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Sūta’s authority repeatedly grounded in Vyāsa-prasāda; dialogue method of question-answer used throughout.

Characters & Entities

• Sūta
• Vyāsa

FAQs

What is the importance of Vyāsa’s grace in Garuda Purana teachings?

This verse grounds the teaching in an authentic lineage: Sūta’s authority comes from Vyāsa’s blessing and instruction, making the forthcoming guidance trustworthy for seekers.

How does this verse frame the narrative of the Garuda Purana?

It presents a question-and-answer setting where qualified transmitters clarify doubts—preparing the listener for detailed explanations on dharma and the post-death journey found in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach death-ritual guidance and ethical teachings through reliable sources and competent teachers, and actively seek clarification to remove doubt before performing rites or adopting practices.