Shloka 3

Kula-amṛta: Śiva’s Teaching to Nārada on Viṣṇu-Dhyāna and Mokṣa

Devanagari script

क्षणं विमुच्यते जन्तुर्मृत्युसंसारसागरात् / भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो हि त्रिपुरान्तक

Transliteration

kṣaṇaṃ vimucyate janturmṛtyusaṃsārasāgarāt / bhagavañchrotumicchāmi tvatto hi tripurāntaka

Translation

For a moment the living being is released from the ocean of death and transmigration. O Bhagavān, I wish to hear it from you alone—O Tripurāntaka, Destroyer of the three cities.

Word by Word

• क्षणम्: for a moment
• क्षणम्: Kala-adhikarana (Time extent/कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (accusative of duration)

• विमुच्यते: is freed
• विमुच्यते: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपदी, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि/मध्यस्थार्थे ‘is released’

• जन्तुः: a creature, being
• जन्तुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मृत्युसंसारसागरात्: from the ocean of death and transmigration
• मृत्युसंसारसागरात्: Apadana (Source/from which/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृत्यु + संसार + सागर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (मृत्युसंसाररूपः सागरः)

• भगवन्: O Lord
• भगवन्: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

• श्रोतुम्: to hear
• श्रोतुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + तुमुन् (कृदन्त)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), अर्थः—‘to hear’

• इच्छामि: I desire
• इच्छामि: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपदी, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• त्वत्तः: from you
• त्वत्तः: Apadana (Source/from/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेतौ/निश्चयार्थ ‘indeed/for’

• त्रिपुरान्तक: O Tripurāntaka
• त्रिपुरान्तक: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रिपुर + अन्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (त्रिपुरस्य अन्तकः)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing the Lord

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Momentary relief is possible, but lasting liberation requires direct instruction from the realized source; saṁsāra is an ocean of death (mṛtyu) and rebirth.

Vedantic Theme: Need for upadeśa (direct teaching) and steady sādhana to move from temporary respite to enduring freedom; crossing the bhava-sāgara.

Application: Seek consistent guidance (guru/śāstra), establish daily practice rather than relying on occasional inspiration; turn inquiry into disciplined sādhana.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: dialogue setting (sage addressing Śiva)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.232.4 (Śiva responds with pleased serenity)

Characters & Entities

• Tripurantaka (Shiva epithet)
• Jantu (embodied soul)

FAQs

What is the importance of being freed from the 'ocean of death and rebirth' in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the core aim of Garuda Purana teachings: relief from mṛtyu (death) and saṃsāra (repeated birth), even if initially only as a momentary release through right knowledge and hearing sacred instruction.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By calling worldly existence an 'ocean,' it implies the jīva is repeatedly carried by death and rebirth; the request to 'hear from you' highlights śravaṇa (hearing true doctrine) as a means to begin crossing beyond that cycle.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize regular listening/reading of dharma and afterlife teachings (śravaṇa), reflect on impermanence, and live ethically so the mind turns from fear of death toward liberation-oriented conduct.