Shloka 83

Devanagari script

वशं नयन्ति करिणं प्रमत्तमपि हस्तिपाः / तथापि साधुसङ्गत्या साधनैरप्यतन्द्रितः

Transliteration

vaśaṃ nayanti kariṇaṃ pramattamapi hastipāḥ / tathāpi sādhusaṅgatyā sādhanairapyatandritaḥ

Translation

Elefantenführer können selbst einen rasenden Elefanten bezwingen; ebenso kann ein Mensch, der nicht nachlässt, den Geist zur Festigkeit bringen durch die Gemeinschaft der Heiligen (sādhu-saṅga) und durch disziplinierte geistliche Übungen.

Word by Word

• वशम्: control, subjugation
• वशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• नयन्ति: they lead/bring
• नयन्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• करिणम्: elephant (male)
• करिणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: करिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रमत्तम्: intoxicated, heedless
• प्रमत्तम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रमत्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √मद्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (करिणम्)

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अर्थः—'even/also'

• हस्तिपाः: elephant-keepers
• हस्तिपाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + पा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (हस्तीनां पाः = elephant-keepers)

• तथा: thus
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), अर्थः—'thus/in that way'

• अपि: nevertheless
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अर्थः—'nevertheless/also'

• साधु-सङ्गत्या: by association with the good
• साधु-सङ्गत्या: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधु (प्रातिपदिक) + सङ्गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (साधूनां सङ्गतिः)

• साधनैः: by means, by practices
• साधनैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अर्थः—'even/also'

• अतन्द्रितः: unwearied, vigilant
• अतन्द्रितः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतन्द्रित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (अध्याहृतः कर्ता)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, Preta Kanda dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mind can be brought under control through sādhusaṅga (company of the virtuous) and sustained sādhana (disciplined practice).

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi and nigraha of manas as prerequisites for jñāna/bhakti to mature.

Application: Choose elevating companionship; adopt a daily regimen (japa, svādhyāya, meditation) with consistency, like systematic training of a powerful animal.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.6.84 (bhakti-yoga + vicāra for control of mind); Garuda Purana 2.6.86 (mahat-saṅga as transformative)

Characters & Entities

• Sadhus

FAQs

What is the importance of satsanga (company of the virtuous) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents satsanga as a practical force that restrains and reforms even a wildly distracted mind, just as trainers control a frenzied elephant.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana context?

In the Preta Kanda’s ethical frame, inner discipline and virtuous association are emphasized as preparations that reduce harmful karma and stabilize the jiva’s tendencies, shaping its post-death trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek uplifting company, follow a consistent daily practice (japa, prayer, restraint, charity), and stay vigilant against laziness—steady effort gradually brings the mind under control.