Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

तत्त्वानां बहुगोप्यत्वात्तथोक्तं ब्रह्मणा पुरा / अभिप्रायस्त्वेवमेव ज्ञातव्यो नात्र संशयः

Transliteration

tattvānāṃ bahugopyatvāttathoktaṃ brahmaṇā purā / abhiprāyastvevameva jñātavyo nātra saṃśayaḥ

Translation

Parce que les principes véritables (tattvas) sont profondément gardés et tenus secrets, Brahmā s’exprima ainsi jadis. Pourtant, l’intention est exactement celle-ci et doit être comprise ainsi — il n’y a là aucun doute.

Word by Word

• तत्त्वानाम्: of the principles/tattvas
• तत्त्वानाम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/षष्ठी); बहुवचन (Plural)

• बहु-गोप्यत्वात्: because of being very secret
• बहु-गोप्यत्वात्: हेतु (कारण/Reason; पञ्चमी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + गोप्यत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/पञ्चमी); एकवचन (Singular)

• तथा: thus/so
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb)

• उक्तम्: said/declared
• उक्तम्: कर्म (Object; implied ‘it was said’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past passive participle); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc); एकवचन

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणा: कर्ता (Agent; तृतीया in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/तृतीया); एकवचन

• पुरा: formerly/once
• पुरा: कालाधिकरण (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (Temporal adverb)

• अभिप्रायः: the intended meaning/purport
• अभिप्रायः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिप्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/प्रथमा); एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle; contrast/emphasis)

• एवम्: in this way
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (manner adverb)

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: सम्बन्धसूचक (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphatic particle)

• ज्ञातव्यः: should be understood/known
• ज्ञातव्यः: विधेय (Predicate; ‘is to be known’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) → ज्ञातव्य (कृदन्त)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (Gerundive/obligatory); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

• न: not
• न: निषेध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• अत्र: here/in this matter
• अत्र: अधिकरण (Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: कर्ता (Subject; with ‘न’ = ‘there is no doubt’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति; एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Esoteric truths may be expressed indirectly; one must discern the intended purport rather than cling to surface wording.

Vedantic Theme: Lakṣaṇā/abhiprāya in conveying Brahman/tattva; necessity of adhikāra (fitness) for rahasya.

Application: Interpret teachings with attention to purpose, audience, and protective concealment; verify understanding by consistency with core principles and competent guidance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana’s frequent ‘rahasya’ framing: teachings given with caveats about secrecy and proper recipients.

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of tattvas (fundamental principles) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that tattvas are subtle and often intentionally veiled; the seeker must grasp the intended purport (abhiprāya) rather than only the surface wording.

How does this verse guide interpretation of difficult or symbolic passages?

It teaches that earlier statements (even by Brahmā) may be framed indirectly due to secrecy, but the correct intended meaning should be firmly understood without doubt.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred texts with careful study, qualified guidance, and attention to context—seeking the underlying teaching rather than arguing over literal phrasing.