Shloka 30

Brahmāṇḍa-Āvaraṇa Nirūpaṇa, Virajā-Setu, and Prākṛta–Vaikṛta Sṛṣṭi

Devanagari script

अष्टका ऋषयः प्रोक्तास्तदूनाश्चक्रवर्तिनः / शतजन्म समारभ्य ब्रह्मणः परमेष्ठिनः

Transliteration

aṣṭakā ṛṣayaḥ proktāstadūnāścakravartinaḥ / śatajanma samārabhya brahmaṇaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

Translation

Les ‘Aṣṭakās’ sont proclamés comme des ṛṣis ; et ceux qui sont moins qu’eux sont comptés parmi les cakravartin, les monarques universels. Ce décompte, à partir de cent naissances, est énoncé en référence à Brahmā, le Seigneur suprême (Parameṣṭhin).

Word by Word

• aṣṭakāḥ: the Aṣṭakas (group of eight)
• aṣṭakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages
• ṛṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• proktāḥ: are declared
• proktāḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + vac (वच् धातु) + ta (क्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (are declared)

• tadūnāḥ: fewer than that
• tadūnāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad + ūna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (less than that)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (and)

• cakravartinaḥ: universal monarchs
• cakravartinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cakravartin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• śatajanma: a hundred births
• śatajanma: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śata + janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative) एकवचन (or अव्ययीभाववत् as object of ‘starting from’); द्विगु-समासः (hundred births)

• samārabhya: beginning from
• samārabhya: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sam + ā + rabh (रभ् धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-अन्त अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); ‘beginning from’

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā
• brahmaṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• parameṣṭhinaḥ: of the Supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin)
• parameṣṭhinaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parameṣṭhin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन; ब्रह्मणः विशेषण/उपाधि (epithet)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Merit and evolution across births correspond to ascending stations (ṛṣi, cakravartin, up to Brahmā) within saṃsāra.

Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra as graded ascent through karma and saṃskāra; Brahma-loka as high but still within time.

Application: Treat ethical action and disciplined life as long-horizon cultivation; avoid impatience with spiritual progress.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: passages on gati-bheda and loka-prāpti through puṇya (thematic)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Rishis
• Chakravartins

FAQs

What is the significance of the ‘Aṣṭakās’ mentioned in this Garuda Purana verse?

This verse uses ‘Aṣṭakās’ as a recognized category associated with sages, indicating a structured spiritual hierarchy where certain groupings (here ‘eight’) are linked with ṛṣi-status.

How does this verse relate to rebirth in the Garuda Purana?

By stating “beginning from a hundred births,” it frames attainment (such as rishihood or sovereign kingship) as something that may mature across many lifetimes, culminating in reference to Brahmā (Parameṣṭhin) as a highest cosmic point of comparison.

What is a practical takeaway from this verse for spiritual life today?

It emphasizes long-term moral and spiritual accumulation: sustained dharma, discipline, and merit across time are portrayed as the basis for higher capacities and roles, rather than quick attainment.