Shloka 17

Jīva-yonis (84 Lakhs), Rarity of Human Birth, Sense-Restraint, Craving, and Śraddhā-based Dharma

Devanagari script

तथा च विषयाधीनो दुः खी भवति निश्चितम्

Transliteration

tathā ca viṣayādhīno duḥ khī bhavati niścitam

Translation

And thus, one who is dependent on sense-objects surely becomes sorrowful—this is certain.

Word by Word

• तथा: thus / similarly
• तथा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (conjunction)

• विषयाधीनः: dependent on sense-objects
• विषयाधीनः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विषय (प्रातिपदिक) + अधीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'विषयस्य अधीनः'), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• दुःखी: unhappy
• दुःखी: Kartṛsāmānādhikaraṇa (Subject-complement/कर्तृसमानाधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुःखिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• भवति: becomes / is
• भवति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present Indicative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular)

• निश्चितम्: certainly
• निश्चितम्: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: निश्चित (प्रातिपदिक; √निश्चि/निश्चय)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोग (adverbial accusative/neuter singular used adverbially)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Dependence on sense-objects inevitably produces suffering.

Vedantic Theme: Viṣaya-āsakti as duḥkha-hetu; vairāgya and indriya-jaya as prerequisites for peace and liberation-oriented life.

Application: Identify attachment triggers; reduce reliance on external stimulation for mood regulation; cultivate inner sources of well-being through meditation, satsanga, and disciplined living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Geographic Context

Type: inner/psychological condition

Cross References

Related Themes: Direct continuation of 2.12.16 (ātma-adhīnatā vs viṣaya-adhīnatā); Garuda Purana moral teachings on kāma/lobha leading to duḥkha

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of detachment (vairagya) in Garuda Purana?

This verse states that dependence on sense-objects inevitably produces suffering; detachment is presented as a practical safeguard for inner peace and for the soul’s steadiness in the after-death journey.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s path after death in the Garuda Purana?

In the Preta Kanda framework, clinging to worldly objects and pleasures is a cause of distress and confusion; the teaching supports cultivating non-attachment so the subtle being is not tormented by cravings and regrets.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reduce compulsive consumption, practice moderation and self-control, and regularly reflect that pleasure is temporary—this weakens viṣaya-dependence and lowers avoidable suffering.