Shloka 57

Jñāna-hetu-nirūpaṇa

On the Causes/Means of Knowledge

Devanagari script

तथा दर्शयते वायुर्दैत्यानां मोहनाय च / अवतारेषु वायोश्च अन्तरं ये विदुः प्रभो

Transliteration

tathā darśayate vāyurdaityānāṃ mohanāya ca / avatāreṣu vāyośca antaraṃ ye viduḥ prabho

Translation

उसी प्रकार वायु दैत्यों को मोहित करने के लिए भी अपने रूप दिखाता है। हे प्रभो! वायु के अवतारों के भेद को जो जानते हैं, वही वास्तव में इसे समझते हैं।

Word by Word

• तथा: thus / likewise
• तथा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय)

• दर्शयते: shows
• दर्शयते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु) + णिच् causative
• Form: Present (लट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; causative middle usage

• वायुः: Vāyu
• वायुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• दैत्यानाम्: of the demons
• दैत्यानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• मोहनाय: for delusion
• मोहनाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोहन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular; purpose

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय)

• अवतारेषु: in (his) incarnations
• अवतारेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवतार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural

• वायोः: of Vāyu
• वायोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय)

• अन्तरम्: difference
• अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; relative pronoun referring to persons

• विदुः: know
• विदुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural

• प्रभो: O Lord
• प्रभो: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right discernment (bheda-jnana) regarding avatara-forms; divine powers may employ mohana (delusion) as a strategic function against adharmic forces.

Vedantic Theme: Maya as instrument under divine governance; necessity of viveka to distinguish appearance from intent and essence.

Application: Practice critical discernment: do not be swayed by impressive displays; evaluate intent, alignment with dharma, and consistency with śāstra and sadācāra.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.12.53 (nuanced manifestation); Garuda Purana 3.12.56 (Kali recurrence)

Characters & Entities

• Vayu
• Daityas
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of avatāra-bheda (distinctions among incarnations) in Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that divine manifestations can appear in varied modes for different cosmic purposes (including deluding hostile forces), so discerning their distinctions is presented as a mark of true understanding.

How does this verse relate to spiritual discernment in Garuda Purana?

By stating that only those who know the ‘difference’ among Vāyu’s avatāras understand correctly, it highlights viveka—discriminating insight—so one is not misled by appearances used for mohana (bewilderment).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do not judge spiritual truth only by external displays; cultivate discernment, study, and ethical clarity to avoid being misled by persuasive but deceptive appearances.