Shloka 8

Devanagari script

सत्यस्याष्टौ कला ज्ञेयाः पूज्याः पूर्वादिषु स्थिताः

Transliteration

satyasyāṣṭau kalā jñeyāḥ pūjyāḥ pūrvādiṣu sthitāḥ

Translation

Wisse, dass die Wahrheit (Satya) acht Aspekte (Kalās) hat; sie sind zu verehren und befinden sich in den Himmelsrichtungen, beginnend mit dem Osten.

Word by Word

• satyasya: Of Satya (Sadyojata)
• satyasya: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (सत्य)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• aṣṭau: Eight
• aṣṭau: Viseshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭan (अष्टन्)
• Form: Numeral, Nominative, Plural

• kalāḥ: Parts/Aspects (Kalas)
• kalāḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalā (कला)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• jñeyāḥ: To be known
• jñeyāḥ: Viseshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jñā (ज्ञा)
• Form: Gerundive (Kritya), Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• pūjyāḥ: To be worshipped
• pūjyāḥ: Viseshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pūj (पूज्)
• Form: Gerundive (Kritya), Feminine, Nominative, Plural

• pūrvādiṣu: In the East, etc.
• pūrvādiṣu: Adhikarana (Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrvādi (पूर्वादि)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Plural

• sthitāḥ: Situated/Stationed
• sthitāḥ: Viseshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sthā (स्था)
• Form: Past Passive Participle, Feminine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Satya (Truth) is not monolithic but expressed through eight kalās; knowing and honoring them is part of right cognition and ritual alignment.

Vedantic Theme: Satya as Brahman/ṛta reflected in ordered manifestation; the many ‘kalās’ are pedagogical facets leading the mind toward the One truth.

Application: Use directional mindfulness: when beginning practice, face East and recollect ‘satya’ as a guiding vow; cultivate truthfulness in speech and intention as the foundation of all rites.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: dik-mandala (directional grid)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.40.9-10 (specific kalā lists that exemplify directional/kalā taxonomy)

Characters & Entities

• Satya (Truth)
• Directions (East and others)

FAQs

What is the importance of Satya (truth) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Satya as having eight venerable dimensions, implying that truth is not a single act but a complete ethical-spiritual discipline to be consciously known and honored.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing reverence for the facets of truth, it points to inner purity and dharmic conduct as foundational qualities that support a righteous course of life—conditions repeatedly linked in Purāṇic teaching to auspicious post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice truthfulness consistently—speech, intention, and conduct—treating Satya as a multi-part discipline rather than occasional honesty.