Shloka 26

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

गान्धर्वं शूद्रजातीनां परिचारे च वर्तताम् / अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणामृषीणामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्

Transliteration

gāndharvaṃ śūdrajātīnāṃ paricāre ca vartatām / aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇāmṛṣīṇāmūrdhvaretasām

Translation

শূদ্রজাতিতে জন্মে যারা সেবা ও পরিচর্যায় রত, তাদের জন্য গন্ধর্বলোক নির্দিষ্ট বলা হয়েছে; এবং অষ্টআশি সহস্র ঊর্ধ্বরেতা—ব্রহ্মচর্যনিষ্ঠ ঋষিদের প্রসঙ্গেও এই স্মৃতি প্রযোজ্য।

Word by Word

• गान्धर्वम्: Gāndharva (state/realm/condition)
• गान्धर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गान्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; nominal predicate/apposition

• शूद्रजातीनाम्: of the Śūdra castes/birth-groups
• शूद्रजातीनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र-जाति (प्रातिपदिक; शूद्र + जाति)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (जाति), षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; genitive dependent

• परिचारे: in service/attendance
• परिचारे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; locative

• च: and
• च: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• वर्तताम्: let them abide/they remain engaged
• वर्तताम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमा-पुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; imperative/benedictive sense possible in context

• अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणाम्: of eighty-eight thousand
• अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टाशीति-सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक; अष्टाशीति + सहस्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (सहस्र), षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; numeral-genitive qualifier

• ऋषीणाम्: of sages
• ऋषीणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• ऊर्ध्वरेतसाम्: of those with upward semen (celibate/continent)
• ऊर्ध्वरेतसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व-रेतस् (प्रातिपदिक; ऊर्ध्व + रेतस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; adjective of ऋषीणाम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gati (post-mortem station) corresponds to one’s mode of life—service and continence yield specific higher states.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikara and karma-phala: relative attainments within saṃsāra based on guṇa/karma; continence as tapas supporting higher lokas.

Application: Cultivate disciplined service (seva) without harm and practice brahmacarya/tapas to refine destiny and mind.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa discussions of gati/loka allocation by conduct; Garuda Purana sections on varna/ashrama outcomes and tapas

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Rishis

FAQs

What is the significance of attaining the Gandharva-state in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents the Gandharva-condition as a karmic outcome associated with a life of dutiful service (paricarya), implying a refined but still worldly celestial status earned through conduct.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death?

It indicates that post-death destinations are shaped by one’s lived dharma and discipline—service-oriented conduct leads to a particular loka/status, while ascetic continence (ūrdhva-retas) is highlighted as a distinct spiritual attainment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform one’s responsibilities with sincerity and cultivate self-restraint; disciplined living and ethical service are portrayed as merit-producing actions that elevate one’s future condition.