Shloka 76

Ācāra-Nirṇaya: Varṇa-Āśrama Dharma, Śauca, Snāna, Sandhyā, Japa, Tarpaṇa, and Gṛhastha-Dinacaryā

Devanagari script

वेदस्याध्ययनं पूर्वं विचारोभ्यसनं जपः / तद्दानं चैव शिष्यभ्यो वेदाभ्यासो हि पञ्चधा

Transliteration

vedasyādhyayanaṃ pūrvaṃ vicārobhyasanaṃ japaḥ / taddānaṃ caiva śiṣyabhyo vedābhyāso hi pañcadhā

Translation

The discipline of Vedic practice is indeed fivefold: first, study of the Veda; then reflective inquiry; repeated practice; recitation as japa; and also the gifting of that knowledge by imparting it to one’s disciples.

Word by Word

• वेदस्य: of the Veda
• वेदस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• अध्ययनम्: study
• अध्ययनम्: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अध्ययन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पूर्वम्: first
• पूर्वम्: Kriya-viseshana (Order adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पूर्वम् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रमवाचक अव्यय (first/previously)

• विचारः: reflection, inquiry
• विचारः: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अभ्यसनम्: practice
• अभ्यसनम्: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभ्यसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• जपः: recitation (japa)
• जपः: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; दानम् इत्यस्य विशेषण (‘that’)

• दानम्: giving, donation
• दानम्: Karta (List item)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• शिष्यभ्यः: to the students
• शिष्यभ्यः: Sampradana (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), बहुवचन; सम्प्रदान

• वेदाभ्यासः: practice of the Veda
• वेदाभ्यासः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष समास (वेदस्य अभ्यासः), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हि: indeed, for
• हि: Sambandha (Explanation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (explanatory particle)

• पञ्चधा: in five ways
• पञ्चधा: Kriya-viseshana (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पञ्चधा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (in five ways)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vedic mastery is fivefold: study, inquiry, repeated practice, japa, and gifting knowledge to disciples—learning culminates in transmission.

Vedantic Theme: Śravaṇa–manana–nididhyāsana resonance (study, reflection, assimilation) complemented by japa and guru-śiṣya paramparā as a vehicle of jñāna.

Application: Adopt a five-part learning method: read primary texts, reflect critically, practice regularly, maintain mantra discipline, and teach/share responsibly (mentoring, study groups, open resources).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: educational-sacred institution

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: broader dharma sections valuing adhyayana, japa, and dāna; emphasis on brāhmaṇa duties and teaching (general)

Characters & Entities

• Veda
• Shishya (disciples)

FAQs

What is the importance of fivefold Vedic practice in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines Veda-abhyāsa as a complete discipline: learning, reflecting, practicing, reciting, and transmitting the knowledge—showing that Vedic life is both personal sādhanā and responsible teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing dharmic discipline—study, contemplation, japa, and right transmission—it points to purification of mind and conduct, which the Garuda Purana treats as foundational for auspicious destiny and spiritual progress.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study sacred texts carefully, reflect on their meaning, practice consistently, keep a steady mantra/japa routine, and share authentic learning through teaching or mentoring with integrity.