Shloka 29

Brahma-vidyā through Yoga: Restraint, Pranava Japa, and Samādhi leading to Mokṣa

Devanagari script

ध्यायन्न चलते यस्य मनोभिध्यायतो भृशम्

Transliteration

dhyāyanna calate yasya manobhidhyāyato bhṛśam

Translation

ધ્યાન કરતી વેળાએ જેના મનમાં ચંચળતા નથી, તે અત્યંત એકાગ્રતાથી સ્થિર ચિત્તે સતત ચિંતન કરે છે.

Word by Word

• ध्यायन्: meditating
• ध्यायन्: Karta (Agent/कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु) → ध्यायन् (कृदन्त-शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘while meditating’

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• चलते: moves/wavers
• चलते: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चल् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• यस्य: whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; Masculine/Neuter Genitive Singular

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; Nominative Singular

• अभिध्यायतः: of (him) contemplating
• अभिध्यायतः: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि+ध्यै (धातु) → अभिध्यायत् (कृदन्त-शतृ)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कृदन्त (present active participle/शतृ), षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; ‘of one who intensely contemplates’

• भृशम्: excessively/intensely
• भृशम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भृशम् (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True meditation is marked by non-wavering mind and intense, continuous contemplation.

Vedantic Theme: Ekagrata as a prerequisite for nididhyasana; reduction of vikshepa (distraction) in the antahkarana.

Application: During practice, notice subtle wavering; return repeatedly to the chosen focus until continuity becomes natural and effortless.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.235.30-31 (time-bound steadiness as dharana; exclusive knowing as dhyana)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of steady meditation in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that spiritual progress depends on a mind that does not waver; intense, unwavering contemplation is presented as the mark of effective dhyāna.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing mastery of the mind through deep contemplation, the verse points to inner discipline as a means to transcend ordinary mental restlessness, supporting higher spiritual attainments described in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice daily meditation or japa with a single focus; when the mind wanders, gently return it—training steadiness (acalatatva) through consistent repetition.