Shloka 106

Dharma–Adharma Marks; Daśāha, Piṇḍa Formation, Śrāddha Calendar, Śayyā-dāna, and Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa Rules

Devanagari script

महाधनी च धर्मज्ञः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः / पुनः स याति वैकुण्ठं मृतो ऽसौ नरपुङ्गवः

Transliteration

mahādhanī ca dharmajñaḥ sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ / punaḥ sa yāti vaikuṇṭhaṃ mṛto 'sau narapuṅgavaḥ

Translation

Jener Beste der Menschen wird überaus wohlhabend, kundig in Dharma und in allen Śāstras bewandert; und wenn er stirbt, geht er wiederum nach Vaikuṇṭha.

Word by Word

• महाधनी: very wealthy
• महाधनी: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + धनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् धनी)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• धर्मज्ञः: knower of dharma
• धर्मज्ञः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (धर्मं जानाति)

• सर्व-शास्त्र-विशारदः: expert in all scriptures
• सर्व-शास्त्र-विशारदः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विशारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (सर्वेषु शास्त्रेषु विशारदः)

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/पुनरावृत्तिवाचक अव्यय (adverb: again)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• याति: goes
• याति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• वैकुण्ठम्: to Vaikuṇṭha
• वैकुण्ठम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैकुण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• मृतः: dead/having died
• मृतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृ (धातु) + त (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोग

• असौ: that (man)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असौ (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• नर-पुङ्गवः: the best of men
• नर-पुङ्गवः: Apposition to Karta (कर्ता-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक) + पुङ्गव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (नराणां पुङ्गवः = श्रेष्ठः)

Speaker

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

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Moksha

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Righteous living and śāstra-competence culminate in post-mortem ascent to Vaikuṇṭha for the exemplary person.

Vedantic Theme: Gradation of ends: artha (prosperity) and dharma/śāstra culminate in parama-gati; suggests bhakti-supported mokṣa-loka attainment rather than mere svarga.

Application: Cultivate dharma with learning (śāstra-vicāra) and devotion to Viṣṇu; align wealth with charity and service; keep death-awareness to orient life toward the highest goal.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: divine abode

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Viṣṇu-bhakti passages promising Vaikuṇṭha-gati; Garuda Purana dāna/śrāddha merits leading to higher lokas and ultimately Viṣṇu-loka

Characters & Entities

• Vaikuntha
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of Vaikuṇṭha in the Garuda Purana?

In this verse, Vaikuṇṭha is presented as the supreme destination attained after death by a person established in dharma and śāstric wisdom—signifying liberation-oriented reward rather than temporary heavenly enjoyment.

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

It implies that a righteous, dharma-knowing person who is grounded in śāstra attains a higher post-death state—going to Vaikuṇṭha—indicating an auspicious passage beyond punitive afterlife realms.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate dharma in daily conduct, study authentic śāstric teachings, and align life with ethical discipline—so that one’s end-of-life trajectory is oriented toward spiritual liberation rather than fear-driven outcomes.