Shloka 9

Yoga’s Limbs and Dharma as the Ground of Liberation

Devanagari script

मनसश्चैन्द्रियाणां च ऐकाग्र्यं परमं तपः / शरीरशोषणं वापि कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणादिभिः

Transliteration

manasaścaindriyāṇāṃ ca aikāgryaṃ paramaṃ tapaḥ / śarīraśoṣaṇaṃ vāpi kṛcchracāndrāyaṇādibhiḥ

Translation

Single-pointed concentration of the mind and the senses is the highest austerity; mere emaciation of the body through hardships—such as the Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa vows—is not superior to that.

Word by Word

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

• च: and
• च: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• इन्द्रियाणाम्: of the senses
• इन्द्रियाणाम्: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/6th case), बहुवचन; Genitive plural

• च: and
• च: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ऐकाग्र्यम्: one-pointedness/concentration
• ऐकाग्र्यम्: Karta/Viśeṣya (Subject/topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक + अग्र (प्रातिपदिके) → ऐकाग्र्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; concentration; समासः—तत्पुरुष (एकम् अग्रं यस्य/एकाग्रता)

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agrees with तपः/ऐकाग्र्यम् per construction

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Predicate complement
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/1st case), एकवचन; Nominative singular (predicate)

• शरीरशोषणम्: emaciation of the body
• शरीरशोषणम्: Karta/Viśeṣya (Alternative subject/topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरीर + शोषण (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (शरीरस्य शोषणम्)

• वा: or
• वा: Connector
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपवादार्थ

• कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणादिभिः: by (rites) such as Kṛcchra and Cāndrāyaṇa
• कृच्छ्रचान्द्रायणादिभिः: Karaṇa (Instrument/Means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृच्छ्र + चान्द्रायण + आदि (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग-समाहार (समासान्त), तृतीया (करण/3rd case), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural; समासः—द्वन्द्व (कृच्छ्र-चान्द्रायण) + आदिशब्देन समाहार

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ekāgratā of mind and senses is supreme tapas; mere bodily emaciation via kṛcchra/cāndrāyaṇa is not higher than inner concentration.

Vedantic Theme: Primacy of antaḥkaraṇa-sādhana over external mortification; tapas as mental steadiness leading toward samādhi and knowledge.

Application: Prioritize meditation, sense-discipline, and attention training; if undertaking vows/fasts, pair them with japa and mindfulness rather than mere self-denial.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Ācāra): valuation of inner purity and self-control over external show of austerity (general internal thematic link)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of tapas (austerity) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse prioritizes inner tapas—steady focus and restraint of mind and senses—over merely physical hardship, presenting self-mastery as the most effective spiritual discipline.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing inner control rather than external mortification, the verse indicates that purity and steadiness of consciousness are central to spiritual progress, which supports a dharmic life and better post-death outcomes described elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice daily sense-restraint and focused attention (e.g., meditation, ethical discipline, mindful living) instead of relying only on severe fasting or bodily austerities without mental transformation.