Shloka 15

Dynastic Enumeration and the Threefold Pralaya (वंशानुकीर्तनं—प्रलयत्रयवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

आत्मा परेश्वरो विष्णुरेको नारायणो नरः / अविनाश्यपरं सर्वं जगत्स्वर्गादि नाशि हि

Transliteration

ātmā pareśvaro viṣṇureko nārāyaṇo naraḥ / avināśyaparaṃ sarvaṃ jagatsvargādi nāśi hi

Translation

The Self is the Supreme Lord—Vishnu alone, Narayana, the eternal Person. He is imperishable and the highest reality; whereas the whole world, including heaven and all else, is truly perishable.

Word by Word

• आत्मा: the Self
• आत्मा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (Nominative/1st), एकवचनम् (Singular)

• परेश्वरः: the supreme Lord
• परेश्वरः: Samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate nominative/विशेष्य-विशेषणभावः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (परः ईश्वरः)

• विष्णुः: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुः: Samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• एकः: one, single
• एकः: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नारायणः: Nārāyaṇa
• नारायणः: Samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• नरः: the Man/person (as epithet)
• नरः: Samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• अविनाश्यपरम्: imperishable and supreme
• अविनाश्यपरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अविनाश्य-पर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Nom./Acc.), एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (अविनाश्यं च तत् परं च)

• सर्वम्: all, entire
• सर्वम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• स्वर्गादि: heaven etc.
• स्वर्गादि: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (स्वर्गः आदिः यस्य)

• नाशि: perishable
• नाशि: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (नाशि = नाशशीलम्)

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः (particle), अव्ययम्; हेतौ/निश्चये (indeed/for)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Atman is identical with the Supreme Lord Vishnu/Narayana; the world including heaven is impermanent.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman/Atman aikya with jagat-anityatva; nitya-anitya-vastu-viveka leading to vairagya.

Application: Contemplate the imperishable Narayana as the Self; cultivate detachment from achievements, pleasures, and even heavenly aspirations.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Brahma-khanda) teachings on Vishnu as highest reality and the perishability of lokas; Garuda Purana passages contrasting nitya Vishnu with anitya samsara

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Narayana
• Atman
• Svarga (Heaven)

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu-Narayana as the Supreme Self in the Garuda Purana?

This verse identifies the Self with Vishnu/Narayana as the imperishable supreme reality, directing seekers beyond temporary attainments toward liberation grounded in the eternal.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stating that even svarga is perishable, it implies the soul’s journey through realms is temporary unless one realizes or takes refuge in the imperishable Narayana, which is the basis for moksha.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize lasting spiritual practice (bhakti, japa, dharma, self-knowledge) over status or “heavenly” rewards, remembering that all worldly and celestial experiences pass away.