Shloka 4

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

Brahmā’s Synopsis of the Epic and the Logic of Divine Descents

Devanagari script

भीष्मः सर्वगुणैयुक्तो ब्रह्मवैवर्तपारगः

Transliteration

bhīṣmaḥ sarvaguṇaiyukto brahmavaivartapāragaḥ

Translation

Bhīṣma, endowed with every virtue, was thoroughly versed in the teaching of the Brahma-vaivarta.

Word by Word

• भीष्मः: Bhīṣma
• भीष्मः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• सर्वगुणैः: with all virtues
• सर्वगुणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• युक्तः: endowed/possessed
• युक्तः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying)

• ब्रह्मवैवर्तपारगः: versed in the Brahmavaivarta (Purāṇa)
• ब्रह्मवैवर्तपारगः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मवैवर्त + पारग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-sampatti (virtue) and śāstra-pāragatā (mastery of tradition) as marks of an ideal elder.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-guṇa predominance supports clarity (viveka) and dharmic steadiness.

Application: Cultivate character alongside study; treat learning as embodied conduct, not mere recitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145 (Mahabharata-vamsha narration context)

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

FAQs

What is the importance of praising Bhishma’s virtues in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses Bhishma as a benchmark of dharmic excellence—showing that inner virtues and scriptural mastery are central qualifications for understanding and transmitting sacred teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it highlights dharma (virtue) and right knowledge as the foundations that shape one’s destiny, which the Garuda Purana later connects to post-death outcomes and liberation-oriented understanding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate character (guṇas) alongside study—ethical conduct plus disciplined learning is presented as the ideal way to become steady in dharma.