Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

अहं ब्रह्म परं ज्योतिर्गन्धमात्रविवर्जितम् / अहं ब्रह्म परं ज्योतिः श्रोत्रत्वक्परिवर्जितम्

Transliteration

ahaṃ brahma paraṃ jyotirgandhamātravivarjitam / ahaṃ brahma paraṃ jyotiḥ śrotratvakparivarjitam

Translation

Ich bin Brahman, das höchste Licht, frei selbst von der geringsten Spur von Geruch. Ich bin Brahman, das höchste Licht, jenseits der Fähigkeiten des Hörens und Tastens.

Word by Word

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया

• ब्रह्म: Brahman
• ब्रह्म: Samānādhikaraṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ज्योतिः: light
• ज्योतिः: Samānādhikaraṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• गन्धमात्रविवर्जितम्: devoid of mere smell (olfactory quality)
• गन्धमात्रविवर्जितम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गन्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विवर्जित (वर्ज् धातु, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: समास: गन्धमात्र (तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय: गन्ध एव मात्रम्) + विवर्जित; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; एकवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया

• ब्रह्म: Brahman
• ब्रह्म: Samānādhikaraṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ज्योतिः: light
• ज्योतिः: Samānādhikaraṇa
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• श्रोत्रत्वक्परिवर्जितम्: devoid of ear and skin (sense-organs)
• श्रोत्रत्वक्परिवर्जितम्: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रोत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + त्वक् (प्रातिपदिक) + परिवर्जित (वर्ज् धातु, परि-उपसर्ग, क्त; कृदन्त)
• Form: समास: श्रोत्र+त्वक् (द्वन्द्व) → श्रोत्रत्वक्; ततः तृतीया-तत्पुरुषार्थक विशेषण: (श्रोत्रत्वचा) परिवर्जितम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra in an Upanishadic tone)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahman is free from tanmatras (like gandha) and beyond sensory faculties (hearing, touch); the Self is not an object of sense.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-tanmatra-vyatireka (distinct from senses and subtle sense-objects); drig-drishya-viveka (seer-seen discrimination).

Application: During sensory stimulation, practice ‘I am the witness-light, not smell/sound/touch’; cultivate pratyahara and reduce compulsive sensory seeking.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.226.30 (continues negation of senses and prana)

Characters & Entities

• Brahman

FAQs

What is the importance of Brahman as 'supreme Light' in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the highest reality as pure consciousness (Brahman) described as Light, indicating the Self is not a material object but the illuminating principle beyond sensory qualities.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By declaring the Self beyond smell, hearing, and touch, it points the seeker away from identification with the sense-bound subtle/physical experience and toward liberation through knowledge of the sense-transcendent Atman.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice detachment from sensory cravings and cultivate self-inquiry/meditation on the witnessing awareness, supporting ethical living and inner steadiness amid pleasure and pain.