Shloka 16

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

सर्वावतारेष्वपि विद्यमानं हरिं विजानाति रमापि देवी

Transliteration

sarvāvatāreṣvapi vidyamānaṃ hariṃ vijānāti ramāpi devī

Translation

Selbst in allen Inkarnationen erkennt die Göttin Ramā (Lakṣmī) Hari als stets gegenwärtig.

Word by Word

• sarva-avatāreṣu: in all incarnations
• sarva-avatāreṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + avatāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘sarva-avatāra’; Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• api: even/also
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; ‘also/even’

• vidyamānam: being present/existing
• vidyamānam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidyamāna (कृदन्त, √vid)
• Form: Present participle (शतृ/शानच्; here ātmanepada form ‘vidyamāna’); Neuter, Accusative (2nd), Singular; qualifies hariṃ as ‘being present/existing’

• harim: Hari (Vishnu)
• harim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• vijānāti: knows/recognizes
• vijānāti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√jñā (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (present), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• ramā: Ramā (Lakshmi)
• ramā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ramā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• api: also
• api: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; ‘also’

• devī: the goddess
• devī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: devī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st), Singular; apposition to ramā

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Hari is ever-present in all incarnations; Lakṣmī perceives His constant presence beyond changing forms.

Vedantic Theme: Nitya-sambandha of Śrī–Nārāyaṇa; avatāra as manifestation without loss of transcendence (avyaya).

Application: Practice seeing the divine continuity behind life’s changing appearances; sustain devotion through remembrance that the Lord is present in all conditions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Śrī–Nārāyaṇa praise and avatāra narratives in Brahma-khanda (contextual)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Ramā (Lakshmi)

FAQs

What is the importance of avatāra-tattva in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that Hari remains the same divine reality in every incarnation, guiding devotees to focus on the underlying Lord rather than only the outward form.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By affirming Hari’s constant presence, it implies liberation and protection depend on recognizing and surrendering to the ever-present Lord, not merely on external identities or changing conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady devotion and discernment: honor different divine forms and traditions while remembering the one sustaining presence of Hari in all expressions of dharma.