Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

नष्टप्रायं च तत्सर्वं गुरोः संज्ञानबोधकात् / प्राप्ययोगं समाचर्य अन्ते मोक्षमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

naṣṭaprāyaṃ ca tatsarvaṃ guroḥ saṃjñānabodhakāt / prāpyayogaṃ samācarya ante mokṣamavāpnuyāt

Translation

Durch die erweckende Unterweisung des Guru, die wahre Erkenntnis (rechtes Wissen) verleiht, wird fast die ganze Unwissenheit samt ihren Wirkungen zerstört. Hat man Yoga erlangt und ihn recht ausgeübt, erreicht man schließlich die Befreiung.

Word by Word

• नष्ट-प्रायम्: almost destroyed
• नष्ट-प्रायम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नष्ट (कृदन्त; नश् धातु) + प्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: नष्टं प्रायम् (कर्मधारय; ‘almost destroyed’), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (agreeing with तत्सर्वम्)

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध-निर्देशक
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय (and)

• तत्-सर्वम्: all that
• तत्-सर्वम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: तत् एव सर्वम् (कर्मधारय), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन; here subject with implied ‘becomes’

• गुरोः: of the guru
• गुरोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन (Genitive)

• संज्ञान-बोधकात्: from the one who awakens true knowledge
• संज्ञान-बोधकात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + बोधक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: संज्ञानस्य बोधकः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष), पुल्लिङ्ग, पञ्चमी एकवचन (Ablative/5th)

• प्राप्य: having obtained
• प्राप्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु) → प्राप्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययार्थक ल्यप्-रूप (gerund): ‘having obtained’

• योगम्: yoga/discipline
• योगम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन (object of प्राप्य)

• समाचर्य: having practiced
• समाचर्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्-आ-चर् (धातु) → समाचर्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (gerund): ‘having practiced/observed’

• अन्ते: in the end
• अन्ते: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, सप्तमी एकवचन (Locative)

• मोक्षम्: liberation
• मोक्षम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• अवाप्नुयात्: should attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guru’s saṃjñāna-bodhaka upadeśa (awakening recognition/true knowledge) destroys ignorance and its residues; with attained yoga and proper practice, mokṣa is reached.

Vedantic Theme: Guru-kṛpā and śravaṇa-manana-nididhyāsana; destruction of avidyā/vāsanā; yoga as steady abidance in knowledge.

Application: Seek competent guidance; commit to daily sādhanā (meditation, self-inquiry, disciplined living); integrate insight into conduct until it stabilizes.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.16.38 (anādi vāsanā); Garuda Purana 3.16.40 (distorted knowledge from kāmya worship)

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Moksha
• Yoga

FAQs

What is the importance of the Guru in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the Guru’s awakening instruction (saṁjñāna-bodha) removes nearly all ignorance and its binding effects, making liberation attainable.

How does this verse explain the path to liberation (moksha)?

It presents a sequence: right knowledge awakened by the Guru, attainment of yoga, sustained correct practice, and finally moksha.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek authentic guidance, cultivate clear understanding, and maintain steady daily practice (yoga/discipline) rather than relying on theory alone.