Shloka 42

Ahaṅkāra-Tripartition and the Rise of Indriyas, Devatās, and Cosmic Administrators

Devanagari script

एतेपि नासिकायाश्च अवान्तरनियामकाः / अतस्ते तत्त्वमानिभ्यो ह्यवरास्ते प्रकीर्तिताः

Transliteration

etepi nāsikāyāśca avāntaraniyāmakāḥ / ataste tattvamānibhyo hyavarāste prakīrtitāḥ

Translation

આ પણ નાસિકાના અવાન્તર નિયામક છે; તેથી તત્ત્વમાનીઓની તુલનામાં તેઓ અવર તરીકે પ્રકીર્તિત છે.

Word by Word

• एते: these
• एते: कर्ता (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• अपि: also
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle) ‘also/even’

• नासिकायाः: of the nose
• नासिकायाः: सम्बन्ध (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नासिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-बोधक

• अवान्तर-नियामकाः: subsidiary regulators
• अवान्तर-नियामकाः: कर्ता (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवान्तर (प्रातिपदिक) + नियामक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (अवान्तराः नियामकाः)

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: हेतु (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; हेत्वर्थक-अव्यय (therefore/from this)

• ते: they
• ते: कर्ता (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• तत्त्व-मानिभ्यः: than the presiders of the tattvas
• तत्त्व-मानिभ्यः: अपादान (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + मानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/तुलना), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (तत्त्वस्य मानिनः)

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• अवराः: lower/inferior
• अवराः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण

• ते: they
• ते: कर्ता (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम (पुनरुक्ति-बल)

• प्रकीर्तिताः: are proclaimed
• प्रकीर्तिताः: क्रिया/कर्तृ-सम्बन्ध (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कीर्त् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘proclaimed’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Hierarchical ontology: avāntara-niyāmaka (sub-regulators) are lower than tattva-mānins (those identified with fundamental principles).

Vedantic Theme: Viveka between primary causes/principles and secondary functions; reducing confusion about agency by placing it in graded levels.

Application: When analyzing experience, distinguish root causes (fundamental principles) from secondary influences; apply this to self-inquiry and to practical problem-solving.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: microcosmic bodily domain

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.5.39 (nāsikā-related presiders); Garuda Purana 3.5.43 (other tattva-abhimānis: touch/form)

Characters & Entities

• Nāsikā (nose)
• Tattva (fundamental principles)

FAQs

What is the importance of tattva hierarchy in the Garuda Purana?

This verse distinguishes fundamental tattvas from subsidiary organ-controllers, teaching that not all subtle functions are equal—some are primary principles while others are secondary regulators.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By mapping subtle-body functions (like sense-organ regulation) into higher and lower categories, it supports the Garuda Purana’s broader framework for understanding how the jīva operates through subtle mechanisms beyond the gross body.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it to cultivate discernment: prioritize inner fundamentals (clarity, self-knowledge, ethical restraint) over merely managing sensory impulses, recognizing the senses as secondary instruments.