Shloka 90

Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority

Devanagari script

भीष्मद्रोणादिनामानि भीमादिष्वेव मुख्यतः / वाचकानि यतो नित्यं तन्नम्यास्ते मुनीश्वराः

Transliteration

bhīṣmadroṇādināmāni bhīmādiṣveva mukhyataḥ / vācakāni yato nityaṃ tannamyāste munīśvarāḥ

Translation

Weil Namen wie Bhīṣma und Droṇa im eigentlichen Sinn auch als Anreden für Bhīma und andere gebraucht werden, sind jene Herren der Weisen stets würdig ehrfürchtiger Verneigung.

Word by Word

• भीष्म-द्रोण-आदि-नामानि: names such as Bhīṣma and Droṇa
• भीष्म-द्रोण-आदि-नामानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म + द्रोण + आदि + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; बहुपद-समासः—(भीष्म-द्रोण-आदि) + नामानि (आदि-समाहारः)

• भीम-आदिषु: among Bhīma and others
• भीम-आदिषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; समासः—भीम + आदि; अधिकरणे

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणबोधक अव्यय (only/indeed)

• मुख्यतः: chiefly
• मुख्यतः: Prakara (प्रकार/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverb): chiefly/principally

• वाचकानि: denotative/indicating
• वाचकानि: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• यतः: because
• यतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: हेतुवाचक अव्यय (conjunction): because/since

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kala (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोगः (adverb): always

• तत्: therefore/that
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Anaphoric)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम; ‘तत्’ = therefore/that

• नम्याः: venerable
• नम्याः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• मुनीश्वराः: lords among sages
• मुनीश्वराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः—मुनीनां ईश्वराः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Names and appellations can be shared; reverence should be directed with discernment to the truly worthy (parama/uttama).

Vedantic Theme: Nama-rupa-viveka; distinguishing the referent (tattva) behind a name; honoring the highest reality rather than mere verbal labels.

Application: In prayers and salutations, intend the Supreme/most venerable referent; avoid confusion caused by homonymous names; cultivate intentionality (sankalpa) in devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: 3.1.91 (exclusive namaskara to the Supreme); Garuda Purana 3.1 context on namaskara/vandana and correct object of reverence

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Drona
• Bhima
• Munis

FAQs

What is the importance of primary meaning (mukhyārtha) in Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that a name can primarily denote a particular figure yet also function as an appellation for others; understanding the primary sense prevents misreading and preserves the intended reverence and teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: it highlights correct comprehension of sacred language and proper reverence to sages—foundational disciplines that support dharma and right conduct, which Garuda Purana links to post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When studying or chanting, attend to context and primary meaning, and cultivate respect for authentic teachers and sages—avoiding superficial or mistaken interpretations.