Shloka 6

Devanagari script

तृणादि चतुरास्यान्तं भूतग्रामं चतुर्विधम् / चराचरं जगत्सर्वं प्रसुप्तं यस्य मायया

Transliteration

tṛṇādi caturāsyāntaṃ bhūtagrāmaṃ caturvidham / carācaraṃ jagatsarvaṃ prasuptaṃ yasya māyayā

Translation

Von einem Grashalm bis zu Brahmā mit den vier Gesichtern: die ganze vierfache Schar der Wesen – alles Bewegliche und Unbewegliche im Universum – liegt gleichsam schlafend unter der Macht Seiner Māyā.

Word by Word

• तृणादि: beginning with grass (etc.)
• तृणादि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तृण + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—तृणम् आदिः यस्य/तृणादि (आदि-शब्देन आरम्भ-निर्देशः, अव्ययीभाव-प्रायः)

• चतुरास्यान्तम्: ending with the four-faced (Brahmā)
• चतुरास्यान्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + आस्य + अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—चतुरास्यः (ब्रह्मा) अन्तः यस्य/यावत् (सीमा) इति; विशेषणम् (भूतग्रामम्)

• भूतग्रामम्: the multitude of beings
• भूतग्रामम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत + ग्राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—भूतानां ग्रामः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• चतुर्विधम्: fourfold
• चतुर्विधम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—चतुर्णां विधः/प्रकारः (तत्पुरुष); विशेषणम् (भूतग्रामम्)

• चराचरम्: moving and unmoving
• चराचरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चर + अचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; समासः—चरं च अचरं च (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व); विशेषणम् (जगत्)

• जगत्: world
• जगत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (जगत्)

• प्रसुप्तम्: asleep/dormant
• प्रसुप्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र + सुप् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (Past Passive Participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (जगत्)

• यस्य: of whom/whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध-निर्देश (relative pronoun)

• मायया: by (his) māyā
• मायया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण-कारक

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: All beings, from the smallest to Brahmā, appear ‘asleep’ under the Lord’s māyā—unawakened to tattva.

Vedantic Theme: Māyā/avidyā veils reality across the entire field of names and forms; the need for prabodha (awakening) to see truth.

Application: Practice viveka: notice how status, power, and even ‘high’ attainments can remain within māyā; cultivate wakefulness through inquiry and devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated contrast between prabodha (awakening) and moha (delusion) in mokṣa-oriented teachings.

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Maya

FAQs

What is the importance of māyā in this Garuda Purana verse?

It states that the entire range of beings—from the smallest to Brahmā—can remain in a sleep-like state of ignorance due to the Lord’s māyā, highlighting divine control over perception and bondage.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s condition in the Garuda Purana?

By describing the world as ‘asleep’ under māyā, it frames why jīvas become bound and confused, a premise that supports later teachings on dharma, death, and liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat worldly status as temporary, cultivate discernment (viveka), and align actions with dharma to reduce delusion and live more consciously.