Shloka 82

Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-Release Gift): Procedure, Merit, and Narratives on Dharma, Karma, and Liberation

Devanagari script

विवेकप्रवणं शुद्धं यथा स्यात्कृपया वद / ऋषिरुवाच / मनस्तु प्रबलं नित्यं सविकारं स्वभावतः

Transliteration

vivekapravaṇaṃ śuddhaṃ yathā syātkṛpayā vada / ṛṣiruvāca / manastu prabalaṃ nityaṃ savikāraṃ svabhāvataḥ

Translation

„Sage aus Mitgefühl, wie der Geist rein werden und sich dem Viveka (Unterscheidungsvermögen) zuneigen kann.“ Der ṛṣi erwiderte: „Doch der Geist ist stets mächtig und seiner Natur nach Veränderungen und Unruhe unterworfen.“

Word by Word

• विवेकप्रवणम्: inclined toward discernment
• विवेकप्रवणम्: Karma (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विवेक-प्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (विवेके प्रवणम्/विवेकप्रवण)

• शुद्धम्: pure
• शुद्धम्: Karma (Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• यथा: so that/how
• यथा: Discourse/Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारार्थक (so that/as)

• स्यात्: may be/become
• स्यात्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कृपया: with compassion / kindly
• कृपया: Karana (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विनयार्थे (by compassion/please)

• वद: tell, speak
• वद: Kriya (Command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ऋषिः: the sage
• ऋषिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse/Contrast
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थक निपात (but/indeed)

• प्रबलम्: strong
• प्रबलम्: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रबल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; मनः इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• नित्यम्: constant, always
• नित्यम्: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; मनः इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• सविकारम्: with modifications/impurities
• सविकारम्: Predicate/Qualifier (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स-विकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (विकारसहितम्)

• स्वभावतः: by nature, naturally
• स्वभावतः: Hetu (Cause/Reason)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वभाव (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-तद्धितान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

Speaker

Rishi (narrator-sage within the dialogue)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Purity and viveka require understanding mind’s nature: it is strong, constant in activity, and inherently subject to modifications; compassion-guided instruction begins with accurate diagnosis.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-vṛtti and guṇa-vikāra; viveka as a cultivated inclination (pravṛtti) rather than a default state; necessity of abhyāsa and vairāgya.

Application: Stop expecting the mind to be naturally quiet; implement steady practice (abhyāsa), reduce triggers, and cultivate discernment through study and reflection.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (mind-control, viveka, and purification teachings in didactic sections)

Characters & Entities

• Rishi

FAQs

What is the importance of viveka (discernment) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames viveka as a key inner quality to be cultivated through purification of mind, implying that right discernment is essential for spiritual steadiness amid the mind’s natural instability.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing that the mind is inherently changeable and strong, the verse suggests that inner discipline is necessary; an untrained mind can drive actions and attachments that shape karmic outcomes relevant to the post-death journey described in the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat mental restlessness as natural, and focus on practices that purify and stabilize attention—cultivating discernment before acting, so choices align with dharma rather than impulse.