Shloka 7

Āryā-Chandas Lakṣaṇa; Gīti-Bheda; Vaitālīya-Vaktra; Mātrā-to-Varṇa Transition

Devanagari script

भाद्गौ स्यादापातलिका ज्ञेयाथो दक्षिणान्तिका / पराश्रितो द्वितीयो लः पादेषु निखिलेष्वपि

Transliteration

bhādgau syādāpātalikā jñeyātho dakṣiṇāntikā / parāśrito dvitīyo laḥ pādeṣu nikhileṣvapi

Translation

The syllable-group “bhād-gau” is to be understood as indicating Āpātalikā, and also (as) Dakṣiṇāntikā. The second “la” is dependent on the preceding sound, in all pādas throughout.

Word by Word

• भाद्गौ: (the pair) bhā and gau (metrical markers)
• भाद्गौ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भा (वर्ण-प्रातिपदिक) + द्गौ/गौ (वर्ण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; द्वन्द्वः (भा + गौ) छन्दोगण/वर्णसंकेतः

• स्यात्: would be/is
• स्यात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• आपातलिका: Āpātalikā (metre-name)
• आपातलिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आपातलिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; छन्दोनाम

• ज्ञेया: is to be known (as)
• ज्ञेया: Kriya (Predicative/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञेय (कृदन्त, √ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विधेयकृदन्त (तव्यत्) ‘to be known’

• अथो: and also/then
• अथो: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय) + उ (निपात)
• Form: निपात/समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय (‘and then/also’)

• दक्षिणान्तिका: Dakṣiṇāntikā (metre-name)
• दक्षिणान्तिका: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्षिण (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘Dakṣiṇāntikā’)

• पराश्रितः: dependent (on another)
• पराश्रितः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रित (कृदन्त, √श्रि धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; ‘dependent on another’

• द्वितीयः: second
• द्वितीयः: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; क्रमवाचक विशेषण (‘second’)

• लः: ‘la’ (marker/syllable)
• लः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ल (वर्ण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; वर्णसंकेतः

• पादेषु: in the pādas (quarters)
• पादेषु: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन

• निखिलेषु: in all/entire
• निखिलेषु: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Connector (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक अव्यय (‘also/even’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Specific gaṇa/akṣara marker ‘bhād-gau’ signals Āpātalikā and Dakṣiṇāntikā; rule of parāśraya (dependence) for the second ‘la’ across all pādas.

Vedantic Theme: Rule-governed relation (āśraya/āśrita): dependent elements derive meaning/function from their support.

Application: In scansion, treat ‘bhād-gau’ as a diagnostic signature for the named varieties; ensure the second ‘la’ is read as dependent on the preceding sound consistently in every pāda.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.208.3-6 (Āryā-jāti and related metrical rules; end-letter handling)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of phonetic precision in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that specific sound-clusters and dependent consonants must be understood and applied consistently across metrical quarters, supporting accurate ritual and textual recitation.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana practice?

It functions as a technical instruction on reading/reciting particular syllables (e.g., “bhād-gau” and the dependent “la”), which is relevant when the text is chanted in ritual contexts.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When chanting or studying the Garuda Purana, follow a reliable edition/teacher for correct phonetics and pāda division to preserve meaning and tradition.