Shloka 29

Brahmāṇḍa-Āvaraṇa Nirūpaṇa, Virajā-Setu, and Prākṛta–Vaikṛta Sṛṣṭi

Devanagari script

(१०।२८) अष्टाविंशल्लक्षणैश्च गिरीशपदयोगिनः / चतुर्विंशतिमारभ्याषोडशाच्च सुराः स्मृताः

Transliteration

(10.28) aṣṭāviṃśallakṣaṇaiśca girīśapadayoginaḥ / caturviṃśatimārabhyāṣoḍaśācca surāḥ smṛtāḥ

Translation

Die Yogins, die mit dem Zustand/Sitz Girīśas (Śiva) vereint sind, werden als mit achtundzwanzig Merkmalen ausgestattet beschrieben. Und die Devas (Surās) werden so erinnert, dass sie mit vierundzwanzig (Merkmalen) beginnen und ebenso bis auf sechzehn hinabreichen.

Word by Word

• aṣṭāviṃśatlakṣaṇaiḥ: by/with (the) twenty-eight characteristics
• aṣṭāviṃśatlakṣaṇaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭāviṃśati + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन; द्विगु-समासः (twenty-eight characteristics)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• girīśapadayoginaḥ: yogins of Girīśa’s state/abode
• girīśapadayoginaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: girīśa + pada + yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (yogins of the state/foot of Girīśa=Śiva)

• caturviṃśatim: twenty-four
• caturviṃśatim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caturviṃśati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/द्वितीया), एकवचन; संख्या (number)

• ārabhya: starting from
• ārabhya: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā + rabh (रभ् धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा/ल्यप्-अन्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); ‘starting from’

• ṣoḍaśāt: from sixteen
• ṣoḍaśāt: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṣoḍaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (Ablative/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; संख्या

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• surāḥ: gods
• surāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• smṛtāḥ: are stated/considered
• smṛtāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (स्मृ धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (are said/are remembered)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gradation of beings by lakṣaṇas (defining characteristics) indicating ontological/spiritual rank.

Vedantic Theme: Tāratamya (gradation) within saṃsāra and higher states; knowledge through lakṣaṇa (definition) and adhikāra-bheda.

Application: Use discernment to understand spiritual qualifications; cultivate traits associated with higher states rather than mere status.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/ācāra sections): discussions of gati-bheda and adhikāra-bheda (general thematic parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Girisha (Shiva)
• Suras (Devas)

FAQs

What is the importance of counting lakṣaṇas (characteristics) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses lakṣaṇa-counts to distinguish grades of divine or spiritually accomplished beings, indicating a structured hierarchy based on qualities rather than mere status.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it implies that spiritual attainment (yoga/union with a divine state such as Girīśa’s pada) is associated with refined qualities, suggesting that the soul’s progress is measured by cultivated attributes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Focus on developing steady virtues and disciplines (self-control, purity, truthfulness, devotion), treating spiritual growth as measurable transformation rather than only belief or ritual identity.