Shloka 15

Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed

Devanagari script

सर्वसत्त्वदयालुत्वं सर्वेन्द्रियविनिग्रहः / सर्वत्रानित्यबुद्धित्वं श्रेयः परमिदं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

sarvasattvadayālutvaṃ sarvendriyavinigrahaḥ / sarvatrānityabuddhitvaṃ śreyaḥ paramidaṃ smṛtam

Translation

La compassion envers tous les êtres, la maîtrise de tous les sens et la claire intelligence de l’impermanence partout—voilà ce dont on se souvient comme du bien suprême (śreyas).

Word by Word

• सर्वसत्त्वदयालुत्वम्: compassion toward all beings
• सर्वसत्त्वदयालुत्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दयालु (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित/भावप्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (सर्वेषु सत्त्वेषु दयालुत्वम्)

• सर्वेन्द्रियविनिग्रहः: restraint of all the senses
• सर्वेन्द्रियविनिग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + विनिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषाम् इन्द्रियाणां विनिग्रहः)

• सर्वत्र: everywhere, in all situations
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सर्व-प्रत्ययान्त-देशवाचक (adverb: everywhere)

• अनित्यबुद्धित्वम्: the conviction that (things are) impermanent
• अनित्यबुद्धित्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (भावप्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अनित्या इति बुद्धिः यस्य/यत्र; अनित्यत्व-बुद्धिः)

• श्रेयः: the highest good
• श्रेयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (श्रेयः)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; निर्देशार्थक-सर्वनाम

• स्मृतम्: is declared/remembered
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृत (कृदन्त; √स्मृ स्मरणे, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगे भूतकृदन्तः (it is said/remembered)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, in the didactic discourse of the Garuda Purana)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śreyas consists of (1) compassion to all beings, (2) restraint of senses, and (3) constant discernment of impermanence.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka-vairagya and antahkarana-shuddhi as proximate means to liberation; compassion as sattvic expansion reducing ahamkara.

Application: Practice ahimsa and kindness; adopt sense-discipline (diet, speech, media); contemplate anitya daily (journaling, meditation on change) to reduce clinging.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma-moksha teachings: ahimsa/daya, indriya-nigraha, and anitya as repeated pillars of śreyas

Characters & Entities

• All beings (sarva-sattva)

FAQs

What is the importance of śreyas (the highest good) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines śreyas as a lived discipline—universal compassion, mastery over the senses, and steady insight into impermanence—showing that liberation-oriented welfare is rooted in ethical conduct and inner restraint.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana teachings?

By emphasizing compassion, sense-control, and awareness of impermanence, the verse points to purification of mind and karma—qualities that support a favorable post-death trajectory and reduce binding attachments that trouble the soul after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice non-harm and kindness toward all beings, adopt daily sense-discipline (food, speech, habits), and remember the temporary nature of possessions and status to make calmer, more dharmic choices.