Shloka 15

Hymns to Nārāyaṇa: Humility, Bhakti, Yoga, and the Guṇas

Devanagari script

तथा स्वगुरुमारभ्य ब्रह्मान्तेषु च साधुषु / तद्योग्यतानुसारेण भक्तिर्निष्कपटा यदि

Transliteration

tathā svagurumārabhya brahmānteṣu ca sādhuṣu / tadyogyatānusāreṇa bhaktirniṣkapaṭā yadi

Translation

Ebenso, beginnend beim eigenen geistlichen Lehrer und reichend bis zu Brahmā und den Heiligen: Wenn man, der Würdigkeit eines jeden entsprechend, Bhakti ohne Trug darbringt, wird diese Hingabe geistlich wirksam.

Word by Word

• tathā: thus / likewise
• tathā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: thus/so)

• sva-gurum: one’s own guru
• sva-gurum: Apādāna (अपादान/Starting point)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + guru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (svakaḥ guruḥ)

• ārabhya: starting from
• ārabhya: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ā-rabh (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund/absolutive) अर्थे ‘आरम्भात्’ (starting from)

• brahma-anteṣu: up to the end of Brahmā (i.e., to Brahmā’s realm/end)
• brahma-anteṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/Location-range)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक) + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (brahmaṇaḥ anteṣu)

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

• sādhuṣu: among the saints
• sādhuṣu: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• tad-yogyatā-anusāreṇa: according to that suitability/eligibility
• tad-yogyatā-anusāreṇa: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + yogyatā (प्रातिपदिक) + anusāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (anusāraḥ), तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः (yogyatāyāḥ anusāraḥ) + तद्-सम्बन्ध

• bhaktiḥ: devotion
• bhaktiḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• niṣkapaṭā: without deceit / guileless
• niṣkapaṭā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣkapaṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (भक्तिः इति विशेष्येण सह)

• yadi: if
• yadi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Condition marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; शर्तसूचक अव्यय

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Niṣkapaṭa-bhakti (undeceitful devotion) offered with discernment and propriety across the guru-to-Brahmā spectrum.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana requires śraddhā and satya (truthfulness) in relationship to teachers and saints; adhikāra-bheda (fitness-based approach).

Application: Practice respectful conduct toward teachers/elders; avoid performative spirituality; calibrate service and reverence to role/responsibility without flattery or manipulation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: spiritual lineage axis

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.8.14 (paramā bhakti as aparokṣa-sādhana); Garuda Purana 3.8.16 (prīti toward beings like Tulasī; smṛti as sin-destroyer)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Guru
• Sadhus

FAQs

What is the importance of sincere devotion (niṣkapaṭā bhakti) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that devotion must be free from deceit; sincerity is what makes bhakti spiritually valid, whether directed to the guru, saints, or even up to Brahmā.

Why does the verse mention starting from one’s guru and going up to Brahmā?

It presents a devotional hierarchy: one begins with the immediate guide (guru) and honors higher spiritual authorities, offering respect and devotion appropriately to each according to their spiritual standing.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice honest, non-performative devotion—serve and learn from your teacher, respect saints and elders, and align your worship with humility and discernment rather than display.