Shloka 34

Veṅkaṭācala Māhātmya: Bhakti-Lakṣaṇa, Nārasiṁha-tīrtha, and the Secret Darśana-Vidhi of Śrīnivāsa

Devanagari script

अभिप्रायं तत्र वक्ष्ये शृणु कन्ये मया सति / यत्र प्रवर्तते मार्गे कथा विष्णोर्महात्मनः

Transliteration

abhiprāyaṃ tatra vakṣye śṛṇu kanye mayā sati / yatra pravartate mārge kathā viṣṇormahātmanaḥ

Translation

Allí expondré el sentido que se pretende—escucha, oh doncella, mientras yo estoy presente—en el sendero donde llega a prevalecer el sagrado relato del magnánimo Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• अभिप्रायम्: intention / meaning
• अभिप्रायम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिप्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (there)

• वक्ष्ये: I will tell
• वक्ष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• शृणु: listen
• शृणु: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• कन्ये: O maiden
• कन्ये: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• मया: by me
• मया: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उभयलिङ्ग/सर्वनाम, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• सति: when (I am) present
• सति: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/locative absolute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक; √अस् (धातु) + शतृ)
• Form: सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त; (मया सति = ‘while I am present’)

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सम्बन्धबोधक (relative adverb: where)

• प्रवर्तते: proceeds / is set in motion
• प्रवर्तते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+√वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• मार्गे: on the path
• मार्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• कथा: story / discourse
• कथा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (one)
• महात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक: महा+आत्मन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् आत्मा यस्य)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrative voice addressing an interlocutor as 'kanye')

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇu-kathā (hearing/teaching) establishes a sanctifying ‘path’ and reveals the intended meaning behind tīrtha and devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Śravaṇa as a primary means for inner purification and right understanding; satya-artha-bodha through guru-vākya.

Application: Prioritize regular śravaṇa of Viṣṇu-related scripture/discourse; choose communities and routines where elevating narratives and teachings prevail.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: path/way (mārga) as spiritual locus rather than a fixed place

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.24.35-36 (Vaiṣṇava presence; duties fulfilled in Hari)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu-katha in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Vishnu-katha as the guiding discourse that ‘prevails on the path,’ implying it is a primary support for dharmic orientation and liberation-focused understanding.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It points to a ‘mārga’ (path) shaped by sacred teaching—suggesting the soul’s right course is strengthened by hearing and following the purport of Viṣṇu’s discourse rather than wandering in confusion.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Regularly listen to or study Vishnu-centered teachings with attention to their ‘abhiprāya’ (intended meaning), and apply them as a daily compass for ethical conduct and steadiness of mind.