Shloka 31

Karma, Varṇa-Dharma, and Dāna as the Soul’s True Companion on the Path to Yama

Devanagari script

एतानि पक्षिन्मनसा विचिन्त्य वाक्यानि धर्मार्थयशस्कराणि / मुक्तिं समायान्ति मनुष्यलोके वसन्ति ये धर्मरताः सुदेशे

Transliteration

etāni pakṣinmanasā vicintya vākyāni dharmārthayaśaskarāṇi / muktiṃ samāyānti manuṣyaloke vasanti ye dharmaratāḥ sudeśe

Translation

O Vogel (Garuda), wer diese Lehren im Geist erwägt — Worte, die Dharma, Wohlergehen und guten Ruf mehren — gelangt zur Befreiung; und in der Menschenwelt wohnt er in einem guten Land, der Rechtschaffenheit ergeben.

Word by Word

• etāni: these
• etāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: etad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (1st/2nd; प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pakṣin: O bird
• pakṣin: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pakṣin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th; सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• manasā: with the mind
• manasā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd; तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• vicintya: having reflected
• vicintya: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi√cint (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), ‘having reflected/considered’

• vākyāni: statements/words
• vākyāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd; द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• dharma-artha-yaśas-karāṇi: bringing dharma, wealth, and fame
• dharma-artha-yaśas-karāṇi: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक) + yaśas (प्रातिपदिक) + kara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Compound adjective; Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd; द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘producing dharma, artha, and fame’

• muktim: liberation
• muktim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd; द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• samāyānti: they attain/come to
• samāyānti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ā√yā (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• manuṣya-loke: in the human world
• manuṣya-loke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manuṣya (प्रातिपदिक) + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th; सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); ‘in the world of humans’

• vasanti: they dwell/live
• vasanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vas (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ye: who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st; प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); relative pronoun

• dharma-ratāḥ: devoted to dharma
• dharma-ratāḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + rata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st; प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘delighting in dharma’

• su-deśe: in a good country/place
• su-deśe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + deśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th; सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); ‘in a good land/place’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Manana (deep contemplation) of dharmic teachings yields both worldly stability (artha, yashas) and ultimate liberation.

Vedantic Theme: Shravana–manana leading toward moksha; dharma as preparatory and supportive to liberation; harmony of purusharthas when guided by right teaching.

Application: Regularly reflect on scriptural counsel; keep a daily ‘manana’ practice (journaling, recitation, ethical review) and choose environments that support dharma.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: realm/continent (general)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated exhortations to listen/remember teachings addressed to Garuda (dialogue frame); Garuda Purana: dharma-artha-yashas as fruits of right conduct and hearing (general motif)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Humans

FAQs

What is the importance of contemplating dharmic teachings in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that mentally reflecting on these dharma-centered instructions brings dharma, prosperity, good reputation, and ultimately liberation (mukti).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul toward liberation?

It presents inner contemplation and commitment to dharma as the cause that matures into moksha, while also shaping a favorable human life in an auspicious place.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study and regularly reflect on dharmic guidance, then live accordingly—ethical conduct and sincere practice are portrayed here as direct supports for both well-being and spiritual freedom.