Shloka 36

Devanagari script

योगिनां कथिता दोषा योगविघ्नप्रवर्तकाः / स्थित्यर्थं मनसः सर्वं स्थूलरूपं विचिन्तयेत्

Transliteration

yogināṃ kathitā doṣā yogavighnapravartakāḥ / sthityarthaṃ manasaḥ sarvaṃ sthūlarūpaṃ vicintayet

Translation

The faults of yogins have been described—those that set in motion obstacles to yoga. Therefore, for the steadiness of the mind, one should contemplate everything in a gross, concrete form.

Word by Word

• योगिनाम्: of yogins
• योगिनाम्: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• कथिताः: said/declared
• कथिताः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कथ् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• दोषाः: faults/defects
• दोषाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दोष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• योग-विघ्न-प्रवर्तकाः: causing obstacles to yoga
• योग-विघ्न-प्रवर्तकाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + विघ्न (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवर्तक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• स्थिति-अर्थम्: for stability
• स्थिति-अर्थम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्थिति (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् (adverbial), प्रयोजनार्थक (for the sake of)

• मनसः: of the mind
• मनसः: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी (Genitive, 6th), एकवचन (Singular)

• सर्वम्: everything/all
• सर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्थूल-रूपम्: gross-formed (as gross form)
• स्थूल-रूपम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थूल (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• विचिन्तयेत्: should contemplate
• विचिन्तयेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Obstacles arise from yogic faults; to steady the mind, contemplate the whole in a gross/concrete form (sthūla-dhyāna) as a stabilizing step.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra-bheda and gradualism: from sthūla to sūkṣma; using form-based contemplation as a ladder toward formless realization.

Application: Use a concrete support (mūrti, breath, mantra with form, visualized light, or a chosen deity-form) to prevent drift; progress gradually toward subtler absorption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.235.35 (faults/deviations); Garuda Purana 1.235.37 (steadfast vow; nothing apart from Paramātman)

Characters & Entities

• Yogins
• Mind (Manas)

FAQs

What is the importance of obstacles (vighna) in yoga in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that certain faults in a practitioner actively generate obstacles to yoga, so recognizing them and adopting stabilizing methods is essential for progress.

How does this verse explain the method to steady the mind?

It advises contemplating reality in a tangible, gross form (sthūla-rūpa) as a practical support to keep the mind steady and prevent yogic distractions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When the mind is restless, use a concrete meditation support—such as a form, symbol, or guided visualization—before moving to subtler contemplation.