Shloka 11

Bhīma-Dvādaśī (Ekādaśī) Māhātmya and Varāha-Pūjā Vidhi

Devanagari script

चैव सर्वतीर्थानि एकादश्याः समानि हि / न दानं न जपो होमो न चान्यत्सुकृतं क्रचित्

Transliteration

caiva sarvatīrthāni ekādaśyāḥ samāni hi / na dānaṃ na japo homo na cānyatsukṛtaṃ kracit

Translation

Wahrlich, alle heiligen Pilgerstätten sind dem (Verdienst des) Ekādaśī gleich. Es gibt weder Gabe noch Mantra-Rezitation (japa), noch Feueropfer (homa), noch irgendeine andere fromme Tat irgendwo, die ihm gleichkäme.

Word by Word

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• सर्वतीर्थानि: all sacred places
• सर्वतीर्थानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक; सर्व + तीर्थ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural (all holy places)

• एकादश्याः: of Ekādaśī
• एकादश्याः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकादशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; Genitive singular (of Ekādaśī)

• समानि: equal
• समानि: Visheshana (Predicate adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural (agreeing with सर्वतीर्थानि)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; हेतौ/निश्चये (for/indeed)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• दानम्: charity
• दानम्: Karta (Item in negated list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (gift/charity)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• जपः: japa (repetition)
• जपः: Karta (Item in negated list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (recitation)

• होमः: homa (oblations)
• होमः: Karta (Item in negated list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (fire-offering)

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• अन्यत्: other
• अन्यत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (other)

• सुकृतम्: meritorious act
• सुकृतम्: Karta (Item in negated list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु-कृत (प्रातिपदिक; सु + कृत)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular (merit/good deed)

• क्वचित्: ever/anywhere
• क्वचित्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देश/कालवाचक (adverb: anywhere/ever)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ekādaśī vrata is supreme among purifying acts; ritual acts (dāna/japa/homa) are secondary when compared to dedicated observance tied to Hari.

Vedantic Theme: Single-pointed discipline (ekāgratā) and sattva-śuddhi through vrata; devotion-oriented karma becomes a direct purifier.

Application: Keep Ekādaśī with fasting/abstinence as appropriate, increased japa and Hari-smaraṇa, charity with humility, and avoidance of harm; treat it as a monthly anchor for self-regulation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Ekādaśī-mahātmyas and vrata-vidhi passages (adjacent verses)

Characters & Entities

• Ekadashi
• Tirthas

FAQs

What is the importance of Ekadashi in the Garuda Purana?

This verse elevates Ekādaśī as equal to all tīrthas combined and declares that common meritorious acts like dāna, japa, and homa do not surpass its spiritual merit.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By prioritizing disciplined vrata (Ekādaśī) over scattered ritual merits, the text points to inner restraint and devotional observance as a powerful means to purify karma and support spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe Ekādaśī with sincerity—fasting or restraint according to capacity, increased prayer/japa, and ethical conduct—treating it as a focused day of purification rather than only external ritual.