Shloka 33

Madātyaya Nidāna and Lakṣaṇa: Liquor’s Qualities, Tridoṣa Presentations, and Fainting Signs

Devanagari script

अगाधे ग्राहबहुले सलिलौघ इवार्णवे / संन्यासे विनिमज्जन्तं नरमाशु निवर्तयेत्

Transliteration

agādhe grāhabahule salilaugha ivārṇave / saṃnyāse vinimajjantaṃ naramāśu nivartayet

Translation

As one would swiftly pull back a man sinking in a deep ocean, crowded with crocodiles and swept by rushing currents, so too should one quickly restrain a person who is sinking into an unfit renunciation (saṃnyāsa).

Word by Word

• अगाधे: in (a place that is) unfathomable/deep
• अगाधे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अगाध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; विशेषण (locative of description)

• ग्राह-बहुले: in (a place) abounding in crocodiles
• ग्राह-बहुले: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक) + बहुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ग्राहैः बहुलः = full of crocodiles)

• सलिल-ओघः: a flood/stream of water
• सलिल-ओघः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सलिल (प्रातिपदिक) + ओघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सलिलस्य ओघः)

• इव: like, as if
• इव: Sambandha (Comparative marker/उपमा-संबन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• अर्णवे: in the ocean
• अर्णवे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्णव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• संन्यासे: in renunciation (saṃnyāsa)
• संन्यासे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संन्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

• विनिमज्जन्तम्: (one who is) sinking/drowning
• विनिमज्जन्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + नि + मज्ज् (धातु) → विनिमज्जत् (कृदन्त, वर्तमानकृदन्त/शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयुक्तं विशेषणरूपेण

• नरम्: a man
• नरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• आशु: quickly
• आशु: Kriya-vishesana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आशु (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

• निवर्तयेत्: should turn back/withdraw (him)
• निवर्तयेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + वृत् (धातु) → निवर्तय (णिच्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधिलिङ्), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; णिच्-प्रयोग (causative)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ill-chosen renunciation is spiritually dangerous; elders/companions should restrain one who is ‘sinking’ into unfit saṃnyāsa.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra (fitness/qualification) and viveka (discernment) as prerequisites; renunciation without inner maturity becomes bondage rather than liberation.

Application: Do not romanticize renunciation; seek guidance, test motives, and cultivate discipline before major vows; intervene compassionately when someone is making a harmful spiritual leap.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: mythic-natural seascape (metaphor)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Ācāra sections): warnings against hypocrisy in vows and premature saṃnyāsa (general thematic parallel)

FAQs

What is the importance of saṃnyāsa eligibility in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that renunciation is powerful but perilous when undertaken without fitness; one should prevent an unprepared person from entering saṃnyāsa, just as one saves someone from a deadly current.

How does this verse explain spiritual risk on the path?

By comparing ill-suited renunciation to an ocean with crocodiles and rushing waters, it frames saṃnyāsa as a path requiring preparedness, guidance, and steadiness—otherwise one may be overwhelmed.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek qualified guidance before drastic spiritual vows, cultivate discipline and duties responsibly, and support others to choose life-paths aligned with their capacity and dharma.