Shloka 8

Devanagari script

त्यागेन केनचिद्ध्यानपूजाकर्मादिभिर्यथा / द्विविधं वेदवचनं कुरु कर्म त्यजेति च

Transliteration

tyāgena kenaciddhyānapūjākarmādibhiryathā / dvividhaṃ vedavacanaṃ kuru karma tyajeti ca

Translation

Just as some speak of renunciation through meditation, worship, rites, and the like, so too the Veda’s instruction is twofold: “perform action” and also “renounce.”

Word by Word

• त्यागेन: by renunciation
• त्यागेन: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्याग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन (masculine, instrumental singular)

• केनचित्: by some (means)
• केनचित्: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + चित् (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया, एकवचन (instrumental singular; indefinite pronoun)

• ध्यानपूजाकर्मादिभिः: by meditation, worship, actions, etc.
• ध्यानपूजाकर्मादिभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (neuter, instrumental plural); समाहार/सूची-समासः ‘ध्यान-पूजा-कर्म-आदि’ (etc. like meditation, worship, actions)

• यथा: as / in the manner (that)
• यथा: Sambandha (Manner/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ‘as/just as’)

• द्विविधम्: twofold
• द्विविधम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg); वेदवचनम् इति विशेषणम्

• वेदवचनम्: Vedic injunction/statement
• वेदवचनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (neuter nom/acc sg); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वेदस्य वचनम् = Vedic statement)

• कुरु: do
• कुरु: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन (imperative, 2nd sg)

• कर्म: action/ritual duty
• कर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (neuter, accusative singular)

• त्यज: abandon
• त्यज: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन (imperative, 2nd sg)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotation-marker/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: परामर्शार्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (teaching Garuḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Vedic instruction is twofold: ‘do karma’ and ‘renounce’; renunciation may be spoken of in connection with meditation, worship, and rites—indicating graded disciplines and eligibility.

Vedantic Theme: Samanvaya of karma and jnana; pravṛtti-mārga vs nivṛtti-mārga; adhikāra (fitness) determines emphasis.

Application: Adopt stage-appropriate practice: perform duties for purification while cultivating detachment; when ripe, deepen renunciation inwardly (and outwardly if appropriate) without contempt for action.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.236.7 (jnana-sadhana over mere ritual)

Characters & Entities

• Veda

FAQs

What is the importance of karma and renunciation in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that the Veda itself teaches a balanced, twofold path—performing prescribed duties while also cultivating renunciation—so spiritual progress is not limited to only ritualism or only abandonment.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing both right action and inner detachment, it frames the ethical-spiritual foundation that shapes one’s destiny; actions purified by renunciation become a means for liberation rather than bondage.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do your responsibilities (work, family, worship) conscientiously, but reduce attachment to results—practice meditation and devotion while letting go of ego and possessiveness.