Shloka 12

Vamsha of Dhruva and Prithu; Daksha’s Progeny; Enumerations of Devas, Asuras, Nagas, and Birds

Devanagari script

अपृथगधर्ंमचरणास्ते ऽतप्यन्त महत्तपः / दशवर्षसहस्राणि समुद्रसलिलेशयाः

Transliteration

apṛthagadharṃmacaraṇāste 'tapyanta mahattapaḥ / daśavarṣasahasrāṇi samudrasalileśayāḥ

Translation

Ceux dont la conduite ne se séparait pas de l’adharma accomplirent pourtant une grande austérité, demeurant couchés dans les eaux de l’océan durant dix mille ans.

Word by Word

• अपृथगधर्मचरणाः: having (their) conduct not separate from unrighteousness / of undivided unrighteous conduct
• अपृथगधर्मचरणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपृथक् (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + अधर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + चरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अधर्मचरणाः), उपपदपूर्वक-विशेषणम् (अपृथक्-पूर्वपद)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अतप्यन्त: performed austerity / did penance
• अतप्यन्त: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: तप् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• महत्: great
• महत्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (तपः-विशेषण)

• तपः: austerity, penance
• तपः: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• दश: ten
• दश: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशन् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या; (वर्षसहस्राणि-विशेषण)

• वर्षसहस्राणि: thousands of years
• वर्षसहस्राणि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वर्षाणां सहस्राणि)

• समुद्रसलिलेशयाः: lying in the ocean waters
• समुद्रसलिलेशयाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सलिल (प्रातिपदिक) + शय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (समुद्रसलिले शयाः = lying in ocean-water)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Tapas without dharmic separation (apṛthag-adharma) is spiritually compromised; conduct (ācāra) qualifies austerity.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi over mere external discipline; karma’s moral quality depends on intention and alignment with dharma.

Application: Pair spiritual practices with ethical restraint (yama/niyama); audit motives and daily conduct so sādhanā does not become egoic or harmful.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha-like natural expanse

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): contrasts of tapas vs bhakti/dharma recur in didactic passages; Pretakalpa themes elsewhere: karma-phala depends on dharma, not display

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma compared to tapas in the Garuda Purana?

This verse indicates that even prolonged, intense austerity is spiritually compromised if one’s conduct remains tied to adharma; moral righteousness is foundational.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

It implies that post-mortem outcomes (and spiritual progress) depend not merely on external penances but on the ethical quality of one’s actions and character.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize honest conduct, non-harm, and integrity; let spiritual practices support dharma rather than serve as a substitute for it.