Shloka 30

An exposition on the fruits of charity and on entry into a body

Garbhotpatti, Piṇḍa-śarīra, and Antya-kāla-kriyā

Devanagari script

शक्तित्रयं विशालाक्षं षाट्कौशिकसमायुतम् / पञ्चेन्द्रियसमोपेतं दशनाडीविभूषितम्

Transliteration

śaktitrayaṃ viśālākṣaṃ ṣāṭkauśikasamāyutam / pañcendriyasamopetaṃ daśanāḍīvibhūṣitam

Translation

It possesses the threefold power, has wide-ranging perception, is joined with the six sheaths (kośa), is endowed with the five sense-faculties, and is adorned with the ten nāḍīs (subtle channels).

Word by Word

• शक्तित्रयम्: a triad of powers
• शक्तित्रयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति + त्रय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—शक्तीनां त्रयम्

• विशालाक्षम्: having large eyes
• विशालाक्षम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशाल + अक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—विशालं अक्षं यस्य तत्

• षाट्कौशिकसमायुतम्: endowed with the six sheaths (ṣāṭkauśika)
• षाट्कौशिकसमायुतम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षाट्कौशिक + समायुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (सम्+आ+युज्→समायुत); तत्पुरुषः—षाट्कौशिकैः समायुतम्

• पञ्चेन्द्रियसमोपेतम्: accompanied by the five senses
• पञ्चेन्द्रियसमोपेतम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्च + इन्द्रिय + समोपेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (सम्+उप+इ→समोपेत); तत्पुरुषः—पञ्चेन्द्रियैः समोपेतम्

• दशनाडीविभूषितम्: adorned with ten nāḍīs (channels)
• दशनाडीविभूषितम्: Visheshana (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दश + नाडी + विभूषित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (वि+भूष्→विभूषित); तत्पुरुषः—दशनाडीभिः विभूषितम्

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The embodied being comprises layered sheaths, sense faculties, powers, and nāḍī networks—knowledge of which supports yogic discrimination.

Vedantic Theme: Kośa-viveka (discerning Self from sheaths); instruments of experience (indriyas) belong to prakṛti, not the ātman.

Application: Use kośa and indriya awareness in meditation: observe sensations and mental movements as ‘sheaths’ rather than Self; cultivate pratyāhāra (sense-withdrawal).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: subtle-body interior (sūkṣma-śarīra mapping)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.31 (prāṇa taxonomy and dhātu listing continues the subtle/physical mapping); Garuda Purana 2.32.32 (pañcabhūta constitution complements kośa model)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Jiva (individual soul)
• Indriyas
• Nadis
• Kosas

FAQs

What is the importance of the subtle body description in Garuda Purana?

This verse outlines the jīva’s post-death “equipment”—powers, sheaths, senses, and nāḍīs—showing that the soul’s journey is experienced through a subtle apparatus, not the discarded gross body.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By stating that the being is endowed with indriyas and nāḍīs, the text implies perception and movement in the after-death state occur via subtle channels and faculties, shaping how karmic results are encountered.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate sense-discipline and sattvic living: if experience continues through subtle faculties, ethical restraint, prayer, and purity refine the inner instrument that carries impressions beyond death.