Shloka 26

Svapnādhāya (Dream-Chapter): Causes, Forms, Nourishment, and Liberation of Pretas

Devanagari script

योगाभ्यासे सदा युक्तः संसारविजिगीषया / एवंवृत्तः सदाचारो मोक्षकाङ्क्षी जितेन्द्रियः

Transliteration

yogābhyāse sadā yuktaḥ saṃsāravijigīṣayā / evaṃvṛttaḥ sadācāro mokṣakāṅkṣī jitendriyaḥ

Translation

Always engaged in the practice of yoga, intent on conquering saṃsāra; living in such a way—virtuous in sadācāra, longing for mokṣa, and having mastered the senses—one becomes fit for the highest good.

Word by Word

• योगाभ्यासे: in the practice of yoga
• योगाभ्यासे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (योगस्य अभ्यासे)

• सदा: always
• सदा: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• युक्तः: steadfast
• युक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• संसारविजिगीषया: with the desire to conquer saṃsāra
• संसारविजिगीषया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संसार (प्रातिपदिक) + विजिगीषा (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative noun from √जि)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (संसारस्य विजिगीषया)

• एवंवृत्तः: of such conduct
• एवंवृत्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय) + वृत्त (कृदन्त; √वृत् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः (एवं वृत्तः = thus-conducted)

• सदाचारः: one of good conduct
• सदाचारः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक) + आचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सद् आचारः = good conduct)

• मोक्षकाङ्क्षी: desiring liberation
• मोक्षकाङ्क्षी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + काङ्क्षिन् (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √काङ्क्ष् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘काङ्क्षिन्’ (desiderative/agentive) = इच्छुक; तत्पुरुषः (मोक्षं काङ्क्षति)

• जितेन्द्रियः: having conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित (कृदन्त; √जि धातु) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (जितानि इन्द्रियाणि यस्य सः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Persistent yoga practice with the intent to overcome samsara, grounded in sadachara and indriya-jaya, ripens into moksha-aspiration and fitness for the highest good.

Vedantic Theme: Abhyasa-vairagya; indriya-nigraha as preparation for brahma-jnana; samsara as avidya-driven cycle to be transcended.

Application: Commit to consistent practice (asana/pranayama/dhyana), reduce sense-driven habits, adopt ethical conduct, and keep a clear liberation-oriented intention rather than merely seeking wellness or status.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.22.25 (atma-yoga, dvandva-vivarjana); Garuda Purana 2.22.27 (forest years leading to tirtha-anugamana)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Saṃsāra
• Moksha

FAQs

What is the importance of yogābhyāsa (yoga practice) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents yogābhyāsa as a steady, lifelong discipline aimed at overcoming saṃsāra; it is not mere technique but a liberation-oriented practice supported by ethical conduct and self-mastery.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to saṃsāra and moksha?

By emphasizing the conquest of saṃsāra through sense-control (jitendriya), righteous conduct (sadācāra), and a clear desire for liberation (mokṣakāṅkṣā), it outlines the inner preparation that leads beyond repeated birth and death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain consistent spiritual practice, keep daily conduct ethical and restrained, and reduce sense-driven habits—aligning life toward liberation rather than compulsive worldly pursuit.