Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा नारदस्य त्रिलोचनः / उवाच तमृषिं शम्भुः प्रसन्नवदनो हरः

Transliteration

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā nāradasya trilocanaḥ / uvāca tamṛṣiṃ śambhuḥ prasannavadano haraḥ

Translation

Hearing those words of Nārada, the three-eyed Lord (Śiva)—Śambhu, Hara—spoke to that sage with a serene and pleased countenance.

Word by Word

• तस्य: of him (Nārada)
• तस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (वचनस्य)

• वचनम्: speech, words
• वचनम्: Karma (Object of gerund/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Purvakala (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + क्त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), अर्थः—‘having heard’

• नारदस्य: of Nārada
• नारदस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• त्रिलोचनः: the three-eyed one
• त्रिलोचनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि + लोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—बहुव्रीहि (यस्य त्रि लोचनानि सः)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपदी, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ऋषिम्: the sage
• ऋषिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तम् इत्यस्य विशेष्य (apposition)

• शम्भुः: Śambhu
• शम्भुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रसन्नवदनः: with a serene face
• प्रसन्नवदनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसन्न + वदन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (प्रसन्नं वदनं यस्य)

• हरः: Hara
• हरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; शम्भोः पर्यायः (apposition)

Speaker

Narrator (describing Śiva speaking to Nārada)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right inquiry elicits gracious instruction; the teacher’s serenity indicates the teaching is meant for uplift and inner peace.

Vedantic Theme: Anugraha (grace) and upadeśa as catalysts for knowledge; śānta-citta as the ground for realization.

Application: Cultivate respectful questioning and receptive calm; when teaching others, speak from steadiness rather than agitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: dialogue setting (Śiva instructing a sage)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.232.1 (Sūta introduces the stotra); Garuda Purana 1.232.2-3 (Nārada’s diagnosis and request)

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• Śiva (Trilocana/Śambhu/Hara)

FAQs

What is the importance of Nārada speaking to Śiva in the Garuda Purana?

This verse sets the narrative frame: Nārada’s words prompt Śiva to respond, indicating that an authoritative teaching or clarification is about to be given in the chapter’s discourse.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on death rituals or the soul’s journey?

While the verse itself is introductory, it signals a transition into instruction—Śiva’s calm, approving reply typically precedes doctrinal explanations that later connect to dharma, rites, and consequences described in Purāṇic teaching.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred instruction with attentiveness and humility—like Nārada’s inquiry leading to Śiva’s composed response—so learning about dharma and rites is grounded in respectful dialogue and clarity.