Shloka 22

Mahāyoga: Detachment from ‘I/Mine’, Aṣṭāṅga Practice, Oṁkāra and Aham-Brahmāsmi Contemplation

Devanagari script

किञ्चित्तस्मात्परस्मिंश्च धारणा दशधा स्मृता / दशैता धारणाः प्राप्य प्राप्नोत्यक्षररूपताम्

Transliteration

kiñcittasmātparasmiṃśca dhāraṇā daśadhā smṛtā / daśaitā dhāraṇāḥ prāpya prāpnotyakṣararūpatām

Translation

Darum wird die Übung der Dhāraṇā als zehnfach überliefert: teils in Bezug auf dieses innere Selbst, teils in Bezug auf das Höchste. Wer diese zehn Dhāraṇās erlangt, erreicht den unvergänglichen Zustand, die Gestalt des Akṣara.

Word by Word

• किञ्चित्: somewhat
• किञ्चित्: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (सर्वनाम/अव्ययप्राय)
• Form: परिमाण/अल्पत्ववाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘somewhat/a little’)

• तस्मात्: from that
• तस्मात्: Apadana (Ablative/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• परस्मिन्: in the other (place/state)
• परस्मिन्: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; विशेषण

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

• धारणा: concentration/retention (dhāraṇā)
• धारणा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धारणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• दशधा: in ten ways
• दशधा: Visheshana (Adverbial qualifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: दशधा (अव्यय)
• Form: संख्यावाचक-प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘tenfold/in ten ways’)

• स्मृता: is considered/remembered
• स्मृता: Kriya (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि-क्त (past passive participle), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘स्मृता’ = ‘is remembered/considered’

• दश: ten
• दश: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन (धारणाः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)

• एताः: these
• एताः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• धारणाः: dhāraṇās (concentrations)
• धारणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धारणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• प्राप्य: having attained
• प्राप्य: Purvakala (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive): ‘having attained’

• प्राप्नोति: attains
• प्राप्नोति: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• अक्षर-रूपताम्: the state/form of the imperishable syllable
• अक्षर-रूपताम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक) + रूपता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अक्षरस्य रूपता)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tenfold dhāraṇā—some oriented to the inner self, some to the Supreme—culminating in realization of the imperishable (Akṣara).

Vedantic Theme: From upāsanā (supported meditation) to akṣara-brahma-prāpti; gradual interiorization leading to non-decay (nitya) awareness.

Application: Structure practice: (1) stabilize attention on chosen supports; (2) alternate ‘self-inquiry’ focus with ‘Supreme’ focus; (3) maintain continuity daily; measure progress by reduced distraction and increased equanimity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: inner contemplative field (this self and the Supreme)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.226.21 (supports/locations); Garuda Purana 1.226.23-25 (Oṃ-japa; A-U-M; half-mātrā)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Akshara

FAQs

What is the importance of tenfold dhāraṇā in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames dhāraṇā (concentrated inner holding) as a structured tenfold discipline, presented as a direct means to reach the imperishable (Akṣara) state—i.e., liberation-oriented realization rather than merely mental focus.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul toward liberation?

It links disciplined concentration to transformation of one’s state: by mastering the prescribed dhāraṇās—directed toward the self and toward the Supreme—the practitioner transcends changeability and attains Akṣara, the imperishable reality.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt consistent concentration practice: steady the mind on the inner self (ethical self-discipline and attention) and on the Supreme (devotional/meditative focus), treating practice as progressive training rather than occasional contemplation.