Shloka 14

Mahālakṣmī’s Forms, Brahmā’s Fourfold Origin, Vāyu’s Names and Soteriology, and Bhāratī’s Manifestations

Devanagari script

रमायाः संति विप्रेन्द्र भेदहीनाः परस्परम् / अनन्तानन्तगुणकाद्विष्णोर्न्यूनाः प्रकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

ramāyāḥ saṃti viprendra bhedahīnāḥ parasparam / anantānantaguṇakādviṣṇornyūnāḥ prakīrtitāḥ

Translation

O Bester der Brahmanen, die zu Ramā (Śrī) gehören, sind untereinander ohne Unterschied; doch werden sie als geringer als Viṣṇu bezeichnet, dessen Eigenschaften unendlich und endlos sind.

Word by Word

• रमायाः: of Ramā (Lakṣmī)
• रमायाः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• सन्ति: are/exist
• सन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• विप्रेन्द्र: O best of brāhmaṇas
• विप्रेन्द्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विप्राणाम् इन्द्रः)

• भेदहीनाः: without distinction
• भेदहीनाः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भेद + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; नञ्/अभावार्थ-तत्पुरुषः (भेदेन हीनाः = without difference)

• परस्परम्: mutually
• परस्परम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Adverbial locus)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्परम् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: mutually/among themselves)

• अनन्तानन्तगुणकात्: than the Endless one with endless qualities (Viṣṇu)
• अनन्तानन्तगुणकात्: Apadana (अपादान/Ablative source; standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त + अनन्त + गुणक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; बहु-तत्पुरुषसमासः (अनन्तानां अनन्तगुणकः = possessing endless qualities of the Endless)

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• न्यूनाः: inferior/less
• न्यूनाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: न्यून (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• प्रकीर्तिताः: are proclaimed/said
• प्रकीर्तिताः: Karma (कर्म/Object of ‘are proclaimed’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: All forms/associates of Ramā (Śrī) are mutually non-different, yet ontologically subordinate to Viṣṇu whose qualities are infinite.

Vedantic Theme: Tattva-viveka and hierarchy: īśvara as ananta-guṇa; dependent realities (śakti/attendants) share unity among themselves but remain dependent on the Supreme.

Application: Cultivate humility: honor divine associates and manifestations without losing sight of the Supreme source; avoid sectarian quarrels over minor distinctions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): passages on Viṣṇu’s ananta-guṇas and Śrī as inseparable śakti; discussions distinguishing īśvara from dependent tattvas

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Rama (Shri/Lakshmi)

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu’s “infinite qualities” in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses Viṣṇu’s ananta (endless) qualities to affirm His unsurpassed status, placing all other divine categories in a dependent, secondary position.

How does this verse explain difference and non-difference among divine beings?

It states that those associated with Ramā (Śrī) are mutually “without difference,” indicating a shared status or unity, yet still distinct from and subordinate to Viṣṇu’s supreme nature.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate devotion with clear spiritual priorities: honor divine manifestations and devotees, while grounding worship and ethics in the highest ideal—Viṣṇu as the ultimate refuge.