Shloka 6

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

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

Devanagari script

साधु पृष्टं त्वया लोके सदयं जीवकारणम् / वैनतेय शृणुष्व त्वमेकाग्रकृतमानसः

Transliteration

sādhu pṛṣṭaṃ tvayā loke sadayaṃ jīvakāraṇam / vainateya śṛṇuṣva tvamekāgrakṛtamānasaḥ

Translation

You have asked well in this world, with compassion, about the cause and condition of embodied beings. O Vainateya (Garuda), listen—keep your mind one-pointed and attentive.

Word by Word

• साधु: well/good
• साधु: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साधु (अव्यय/विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रशंसावाचक अव्यय (indeclinable of approval)

• पृष्टम्: asked
• पृष्टम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रच्छ् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (इदम्) पृष्टम्

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karta (Agent in passive/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/स्त्री, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• सदयम्: compassionate/with mercy
• सदयम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स + दय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपसर्ग-पूर्वक विशेषण

• जीवकारणम्: the cause of living beings
• जीवकारणम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जीव + कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (जीवस्य कारणम्)

• वैनतेय: O Vainateya (Garuda)
• वैनतेय: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विनता + एय (तद्धित; प्रातिपदिक: वैनतेय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; तद्धित (विनतायाः अपत्यम्)

• शृणुष्व: listen
• शृणुष्व: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• एकाग्रकृतमानसः: with mind made one-pointed
• एकाग्रकृतमानसः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकाग्र + कृत + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (एकाग्रं कृतं मानसं यस्य सः) — अर्थतः बहुव्रीहिवत् विशेषणप्रयोग

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right questioning with compassion and one-pointed mind is the gateway to understanding the cause/condition of embodied life and to liberation-oriented knowledge.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya elements: mumukṣutva and śama (one-pointedness); śravaṇa as primary means to brahma-jñāna.

Application: Approach teachings with empathy and sincerity; cultivate ekāgratā (single-pointed attention) through breath regulation, reduced distraction, and regular scriptural listening.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.32.5 (secret teaching on kośa); Garuda Purana 2.32.4 (inquiry into doership and suffering)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda (Vainateya)

FAQs

What is the importance of asking compassionately in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames spiritual inquiry as an act of mercy toward beings (jīvas), qualifying the listener for teachings on life, death, and the after-death journey.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It introduces a doctrinal explanation of the jīva’s condition (“jīvakāraṇam”) as a preface to the Purana’s afterlife teachings, with Vishnu instructing Garuda to listen with focused mind.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach questions about karma, death rites, and ethical living with compassion and sustained attention—then apply the guidance consistently in conduct and ritual observance.