Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

अष्टका ऋषयः प्रोक्तास्तदूनाश्चक्रवर्तिनः / शतजन्म समारभ्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः

Transliteration

aṣṭakā ṛṣayaḥ proktāstadūnāścakravartinaḥ / śatajanma samārabhya brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

Translation

Die ‘Aṣṭakās’ werden als ṛṣis verkündet; und wer ihrer Zahl nach geringer ist, wird unter die cakravartins, die Weltenherrscher, gerechnet. Diese Zählung, beginnend mit hundert Geburten, wird mit Bezug auf Brahmā, den höchsten Herrn (Parameṣṭhin), dargelegt.

Word by Word

• aṣṭakāḥ: the Aṣṭakas (group of eight)
• aṣṭakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages
• ṛṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• proktāḥ: are declared
• proktāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + vac (वच् धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (are declared)

• tadūnāḥ: fewer than that
• tadūnāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad + ūna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (less than that)

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

• cakravartinaḥ: universal monarchs
• cakravartinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakravartin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• śatajanma: a hundred births
• śatajanma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata + janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative) एकवचन (or अव्ययीभाववत् as object of ‘starting from’); द्विगु-समासः (hundred births)

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

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā
• brahmaṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• parameṣṭhinaḥ: of the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin)
• parameṣṭhinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameṣṭhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; ब्रह्मणः विशेषण/उपाधि (epithet)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Merit and evolution across births correspond to ascending stations (ṛṣi, cakravartin, up to Brahmā) within saṃsāra.

Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra as graded ascent through karma and saṃskāra; Brahma-loka as high but still within time.

Application: Treat ethical action and disciplined life as long-horizon cultivation; avoid impatience with spiritual progress.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: passages on gati-bheda and loka-prāpti through puṇya (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Rishis
• Chakravartins

FAQs

What is the significance of the ‘Aṣṭakās’ mentioned in this Garuda Purana verse?

This verse uses ‘Aṣṭakās’ as a recognized category associated with sages, indicating a structured spiritual hierarchy where certain groupings (here ‘eight’) are linked with ṛṣi-status.

How does this verse relate to rebirth in the Garuda Purana?

By stating “beginning from a hundred births,” it frames attainment (such as rishihood or sovereign kingship) as something that may mature across many lifetimes, culminating in reference to Brahmā (Parameṣṭhin) as a highest cosmic point of comparison.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for spiritual life today?

It emphasizes long-term moral and spiritual accumulation: sustained dharma, discipline, and merit across time are portrayed as the basis for higher capacities and roles, rather than quick attainment.