Shloka 16

Dynastic Enumeration and the Threefold Pralaya (वंशानुकीर्तनं—प्रलयत्रयवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

नृपादयो गता नाशमतः पापं विवर्जयेत् / धर्मं कुर्यात्स्थिरं येन पापं हित्वा हरिं व्रजेत्

Transliteration

nṛpādayo gatā nāśamataḥ pāpaṃ vivarjayet / dharmaṃ kuryātsthiraṃ yena pāpaṃ hitvā hariṃ vrajet

Translation

Kings and all others have gone to destruction; therefore one should abandon sin. One should practice steadfast dharma, by which—having given up sin—one may go to Hari (Vishnu).

Word by Word

• नृपादयः: kings and others
• नृपादयः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप-आदि (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (नृपः आदिः येषाम्)

• गताः: gone
• गताः: Karta (Subject complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु) → गत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्तः (क्त), पुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम्

• नाशम्: to destruction
• नाशम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Sambandha (Logical connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; हेत्वर्थे/तस्मात्-अर्थे (therefore)

• पापम्: sin
• पापम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• विवर्जयेत्: should avoid
• विवर्जयेत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-√वृज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; विधिः (should avoid)

• धर्मम्: dharma, righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• कुर्यात्: should do/practice
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• स्थिरम्: steadfast, firm
• स्थिरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम् (धर्मम्)

• येन: by which
• येन: Karaṇa (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्गः, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचनम्; सर्वनाम

• पापम्: sin
• पापम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• हित्वा: having abandoned
• हित्वा: Kriya (Prior action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √हा (धातु) → हित्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययम् (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकालक्रिया (having abandoned)

• हरिम्: Hari (Viṣṇu)
• हरिम्: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गः, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• व्रजेत्: should go/attain
• व्रजेत्: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Because all worldly status ends, renounce papa and practice steady dharma to reach Hari.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga and ethical purification as preparation for bhakti/moksha; impermanence of artha/rajya.

Application: Reduce harmful actions, adopt consistent ethical disciplines (truthfulness, non-injury, restraint), and orient life toward Vishnu through daily remembrance and worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical exhortations: papa-tyaga, dharma-acharana, Hari-gamana; Garuda Purana sections linking dharma and Vishnu-bhakti as the safe path amid anitya samsara

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Nṛpa (kings)

FAQs

What is the importance of avoiding sin in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that even kings perish, so one should deliberately renounce pāpa and live by firm dharma to become fit to reach Hari.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It frames the soul’s progress as moral and devotional: abandoning sinful action and stabilizing oneself in dharma is presented as the means to attain Vishnu rather than fall into ruin.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat status and power as temporary, reduce harmful actions, and commit to consistent ethical duties and devotion—making daily choices that move life toward dharma and inner liberation.