Shloka 34
मन्त्रध्यान तो गर्भो विपरीतो ह्यगर्भकः / एवं द्विधा त्रिधाप्युक्तं पुरणात्पूरकः स च
mantradhyāna to garbho viparīto hyagarbhakaḥ / evaṃ dvidhā tridhāpyuktaṃ puraṇātpūrakaḥ sa ca
La meditación en el mantra se llama “garbha” (semilla o seno interior); su opuesto se denomina “agarbhaka” (sin semilla interior). Así se enseña como de dos clases—y también como de tres; y aquello que llena el aliento se llama pūraka, porque consiste en llenar.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Distinguishing mantra-meditation with an inner ‘seed’ (garbha) versus without (agarbhaka), and defining pūraka as the act of filling the breath.
Vedantic Theme: Upāsanā leading to subtle interiorization; refinement of attention (dhyāna) as a support for mind’s steadiness.
Application: When practicing japa-dhyāna, keep a clear inner support (meaning/form of mantra or deity) rather than mechanical repetition; learn pūraka/recaka/kumbhaka definitions before attempting ratios.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.35 (kumbhaka/recaka measures); Garuda Purana 1.49.33 (japa, āsana, prāṇāyāma)
FAQs
This verse distinguishes prāṇāyāma/inner practice done with mantra-focused meditation (garbha, ‘seeded/contained’) from its opposite without that inner mantra-essence (agarbhaka), emphasizing that mantra-awareness is a key purifier.
It notes that the practice is classified as twofold or threefold, and explicitly defines pūraka as the phase called so because it ‘fills’ the breath—pointing to the technical framework of breath regulation used for purification.
When doing breath practice, pair it with steady mantra-awareness rather than mere mechanics; treat inhalation (pūraka) as a deliberate ‘filling’ that supports mental steadiness and ritual/ethical purification.