Shloka 9

An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord

Devanagari script

विष्णुब्रह्मादिरूपाणामैक्यं जानन्ति ये द्विजाः / ते यान्ति नरकं घोरं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्

Transliteration

viṣṇubrahmādirūpāṇāmaikyaṃ jānanti ye dvijāḥ / te yānti narakaṃ ghoraṃ punarāvṛttivarjitam

Translation

Jene Dvijas (Zweimalgeborenen), die irrtümlich die absolute Identität der Gestalten Viṣṇus, Brahmās und anderer Gottheiten behaupten, gelangen in eine schreckliche Hölle, aus der es keine Wiederkehr gibt.

Word by Word

• विष्णु-ब्रह्म-आदि-रूपाणाम्: of the forms of Viṣṇu, Brahmā, etc.
• विष्णु-ब्रह्म-आदि-रूपाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विष्णुब्रह्मादीनां रूपाणि)

• ऐक्यम्: oneness
• ऐक्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• जानन्ति: know
• जानन्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• द्विजाः: twice-born (Brahmins)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; निर्देशार्थक सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• यान्ति: go
• यान्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• नरकम्: hell
• नरकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• घोरम्: terrible
• घोरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying नरकम्)

• पुनरावृत्ति-वर्जितम्: devoid of return (no coming back)
• पुनरावृत्ति-वर्जितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुनरावृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्जित (कृदन्त, √वृज्/√वर्ज् धातु; past participle)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पुनरावृत्तेः वर्जितम् = devoid of return)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Naraka

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Doctrinal error regarding deity-identity (asserting absolute sameness of Viṣṇu with Brahmā and others) is treated as a grave transgression with severe afterlife consequence.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra and right view (samyag-dṛṣṭi) as spiritually determinative; here, a sectarian Vaiṣṇava hierarchy is asserted against indiscriminate identity-claims.

Application: Exercise epistemic humility and scriptural discipline in theological claims; avoid careless syncretism when a tradition defines hierarchical distinctions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: otherworldly region

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.6-3.4.8 (correct distinction and mokṣa); Garuda Purana 3.4.10 (Hari as controller of guṇas)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Devas
• Naraka

FAQs

What is the importance of correct understanding of deity forms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats doctrinal clarity as part of dharma: asserting an improper identity of divine forms is framed as a grave error with karmic consequences.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It links a specific wrong view to post-death retribution: such persons are said to fall into a dreadful naraka, described here as a state “without return,” i.e., not easily escaped.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain humility and care in theology and worship—avoid careless claims about divinity, follow one’s sampradāya/scriptural guidance, and practice devotion with ethical conduct.