Shloka 41

The Explanation of Various Gifts (Dāna) and the Soul’s Entry into Another Body

Devanagari script

आत्मानं ये न जानन्ति ते नराः पशवः स्मृताः / एवमेतन्मयाख्यातं शरीरं ते चतुर्विधम्

Transliteration

ātmānaṃ ye na jānanti te narāḥ paśavaḥ smṛtāḥ / evametanmayākhyātaṃ śarīraṃ te caturvidham

Translation

Wer den Ātman, das wahre Selbst, nicht erkennt, gilt als einem Tier gleich. So habe ich dir dargelegt: Der Körper ist von vier Arten.

Word by Word

• आत्मानम्: the Self
• आत्मानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (सम्बन्धसूचक-यः)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Modifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• जानन्ति: know
• जानन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (अन्वय-निर्देशक)

• नराः: men/people
• नराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• पशवः: animals
• पशवः: Karta (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (विधेय)

• स्मृताः: are considered/called
• स्मृताः: Kriya (Predication/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृ (धातु) → स्मृत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थे ‘are called/considered’

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Sambandha (Modifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: रीति/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (वाक्य-विषय)

• मया: by me
• मया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• आख्यातम्: has been explained
• आख्यातम्: Kriya (Predication/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-ख्या (धातु) → आख्यात (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थे ‘has been explained’

• शरीरम्: the body
• शरीरम्: Karta (Topic/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (विधेय/विषय)

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यम-पुरुष-सर्वनाम, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• चतुर्विधम्: fourfold
• चतुर्विधम्: Sambandha (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (fourfold)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ātma-jñāna as the defining mark of true humanity; ignorance reduces one to paśu-bhāva; embodiment can be classified (caturvidha).

Vedantic Theme: Avidyā as bondage; discrimination between Self and body (ātma–anātma-viveka).

Application: Daily self-inquiry and study of śāstra; treat bodily identity as secondary; cultivate discernment before action to avoid living mechanically.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Preta/Upadeśa sections): recurring ātma-jñāna praise and deha-anityatā teachings; Garuda Purana: discussions of jīva’s journey where ignorance causes fear and bondage

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Atman

FAQs

What is the importance of Atman-knowledge in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that without knowing the Self (ātman), a human life is reduced to mere instinct, and true spiritual instruction begins with recognizing the Self beyond the body.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By contrasting Self-knowledge with bodily identification, it prepares the listener for the Garuda Purana’s broader teaching that the soul’s journey depends on awareness, karma, and understanding the body’s role as a temporary vehicle.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate daily self-inquiry and dharmic discipline—study, meditation, and ethical conduct—so life is guided by awareness of the Self rather than only sensory impulses.