Shloka 23

Tila–Darbha–Maṇḍala in Aūrdhvadaihika: Protection, Eligibility, and the Merit of Salt-Dāna

Devanagari script

तुलसी ब्राह्मणा गावो विष्णुरेकादशी खग / पञ्च प्रवहणान्येव भवाब्धौ मज्जतां सताम्

Transliteration

tulasī brāhmaṇā gāvo viṣṇurekādaśī khaga / pañca pravahaṇānyeva bhavābdhau majjatāṃ satām

Translation

O Vogel (Garuda), für die Frommen, die im Ozean des Saṃsāra zu versinken drohen, sind allein diese fünf wahrhaft die Fähren: Tulasī, die Brāhmaṇas, die Kühe, Herr Viṣṇu und Ekādaśī.

Word by Word

• तुलसी: Tulasī (holy basil)
• तुलसी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तुलसी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणाः: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• गावः: cows
• गावः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• एकादशी: Ekādaśī (11th lunar day)
• एकादशी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकादशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• खग: O bird (Garuda)
• खग: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या/अव्ययवत्)
• Form: संख्यावाचक विशेषण; प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचनार्थे (प्रवहणानि इति)

• प्रवहणानि: ferries/means of crossing
• प्रवहणानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Avadharana (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• भवाब्धौ: in the ocean of worldly existence
• भवाब्धौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भव + अब्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (भवस्य अब्धिः)

• मज्जताम्: of (those) sinking
• मज्जताम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मज्ज् (धातु) + शतृ (कृत्-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; विशेष्य (सताम्) सह—‘of those who are sinking’

• सताम्: of the good/virtuous people
• सताम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक; अस् धातोः शतृ/सत्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; ‘सज्जन’ अर्थे

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Five ‘ferry-boats’—Tulasī, brāhmaṇas, cows, Viṣṇu, and Ekādaśī—carry the righteous across saṃsāra.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as an upāya: grace-mediated crossing supported by sattvic associations (tulasī, go-sevā, vipra-sevā) and vrata (ekādaśī).

Application: Cultivate daily/weekly devotion: worship Viṣṇu with tulasī, honor and support brāhmaṇas, protect/serve cows, observe Ekādaśī fasting and remembrance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: symbolic ocean/ford

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections praising Ekādaśī, tulasī, and Viṣṇu-nāma (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Tulasi
• Brahmanas
• Cows
• Ekadashi

FAQs

What is the importance of Ekadashi in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Ekadashi as one of the five chief “ferries” that help the righteous cross saṃsāra, emphasizing fasting and Vishnu-centered observance as a powerful purifier and support.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By calling these practices and sacred supports “ferry-boats,” the verse frames the soul’s struggle in bhava-sāgara (the ocean of repeated birth and death) and points to devotion, purity, and dharmic service as rescuing forces.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Keep Tulasi with reverence, honor and support learned and ethical Brahmanas, practice cow-protection/compassionate giving, cultivate Vishnu-bhakti, and observe Ekadashi with discipline—using these as steady anchors for dharmic living.