Shloka 36

Saṃsāra-cakra, Preta’s 12-day Transit to Yama, Re-embodiment, and Karma-Vipāka Catalog of Sins and Rebirths

Devanagari script

दया भूतेषु संवादः परलोकं प्रति क्रिया / सत्यं हितार्थमुक्तिश्च वेदप्रामाण्यदर्शनम्

Transliteration

dayā bhūteṣu saṃvādaḥ paralokaṃ prati kriyā / satyaṃ hitārthamuktiśca vedaprāmāṇyadarśanam

Translation

Mitgefühl gegenüber allen Wesen, ein harmonisches Verhalten im Umgang, Handeln mit Blick auf die jenseitige Welt, Wahrhaftigkeit, heilsames Sprechen und das Anerkennen der Autorität der Veden—dies sind die Kennzeichen rechten Wandels.

Word by Word

• दया: compassion
• दया: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भूतेषु: towards beings
• भूतेषु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Domain)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), बहुवचन

• संवादः: harmonious speech/dialogue
• संवादः: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संवाद (प्रातिपदिक; सम् + √वद् (धातु) घञ्/अ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• परलोकम्: the other world
• परलोकम्: Karma (कर्म/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (परः लोकः)

• प्रति: towards
• प्रति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Relational)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रति (अव्यय/उपसर्ग)
• Form: अव्यय; दिशार्थक/सम्बन्धबोधक (towards/with regard to)

• क्रिया: religious action/rite
• क्रिया: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक; √कृ (धातु) यत्/आ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हितार्थमुक्तिः: beneficial utterance (speech for good purpose)
• हितार्थमुक्तिः: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + मुक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (हितार्था मुक्ति/उक्ति = 'speech for beneficial purpose'); पाठभेदे 'उक्तिः' सम्भवः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• वेदप्रामाण्यदर्शनम्: recognition of the Veda’s authority
• वेदप्रामाण्यदर्शनम्: Karta (कर्ता/Item in list)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रामाण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक; √दृश् (धातु) ल्युट्/अन-प्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (वेदस्य प्रामाण्यस्य दर्शनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Marks of righteous conduct: compassion, concord, otherworldly accountability, truth, beneficial speech, and acceptance of Vedic pramāṇa.

Vedantic Theme: Citta-śuddhi through ahiṃsā and satya; śāstra-pramāṇa as a guide for dharma; alignment of speech and action with the good (hita).

Application: Practice compassion in daily interactions; resolve conflicts; make choices considering long-term karmic outcomes; speak truth that is also beneficial; study and respect authentic scriptural guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: sadācāra and dharma-lakṣaṇa passages; Garuda Purana: emphasis on satya, dayā, and śāstra-pramāṇa

Characters & Entities

• Vedas

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma (righteous conduct) in Garuda Purana?

This verse lists core dharmic markers—compassion, truthful and beneficial speech, harmonious conduct, and Veda-based living—framing them as the foundation for auspicious consequences beyond this life.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to the afterlife?

By urging actions “toward the next world,” it links present conduct (kriyā and satya) with post-death outcomes, implying that ethical, Veda-aligned karma supports a better gati (destiny) after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice compassion in daily choices, speak truth that is also beneficial, keep relationships non-hostile, and ground major life decisions in trustworthy śāstric/Vedic principles rather than impulse.