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

Er ist Kenner der Vyākaraṇa (Grammatik), Kenner der Sätze und ihres Sinnes; er erfasst, was durch die Rede vermittelt wird. An den tīrthas (heiligen Furten) wohnend, wird er selbst zum tīrtha — zum tīrtha der tīrthas — und zum wahren Kenner der tīrthas.

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.