Shloka 29

Sṛṣṭi-krama: Brahmā’s Sequential Creation of Devas, Sages, and Sense-Presiding Powers

Devanagari script

कनिष्ठाङ्गुलिपर्वाच्च वामदेवं न संशयः / प्रवहानन्तरं तब्रह्मा शतवर्षादनन्तरम्

Transliteration

kaniṣṭhāṅguliparvācca vāmadevaṃ na saṃśayaḥ / pravahānantaraṃ tabrahmā śatavarṣādanantaram

Translation

कनिष्ठा उँगली के पोर से ‘वामदेव’ नामक माप उत्पन्न होता है—इसमें संदेह नहीं। ‘प्रवाह’ काल के बाद, सौ वर्ष के पश्चात ‘ब्रह्मा’ का माप/काल कहा गया है।

Word by Word

• कनिष्ठ-अङ्गुलि-पर्वात्: from the joint of the little finger
• कनिष्ठ-अङ्गुलि-पर्वात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कनिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + अङ्गुलि (प्रातिपदिक) + पर्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• वामदेवम्: Vāmadeva
• वामदेवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वामदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• न: not/no
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-निपात (negation particle)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; वाक्ये ‘न संशयः’ इति—अस्ति-लोप (there is no doubt)

• प्रवह-अनन्तरम्: after Pravaha
• प्रवह-अनन्तरम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रवह (प्रातिपदिक) + अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव; ‘प्रवहस्य अनन्तरम्’ (after Pravaha)

• तत्: then/thereupon
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; अव्यक्त-सम्बन्धसूचक (then/thereupon)

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शत-वर्षात्: after/from one hundred years
• शत-वर्षात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अनन्तरम्: afterwards
• अनन्तरम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (temporal adverb)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Micro-to-macro correspondence: tiny units (finger-joint) ground larger measures of time and cosmic periods.

Vedantic Theme: Bandhu (correspondence) between body and cosmos; kāla as structured manifestation under Īśvara.

Application: Use awareness of time’s scale to reduce egoic urgency; cultivate patience and long-view ethics.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.13.28–32 (sequence of emanations and time intervals)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Brahma
• Vamadeva
• Pravaha

FAQs

What is the importance of time-measurement terms like Vāmadeva and Pravāha in the Garuda Purana?

They frame the Purana’s cosmology by naming graded units of time, helping connect human-scale measures to larger cosmic cycles referenced in teachings on death, afterlife, and dharma.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

The Preta Kanda frequently links after-death processes to precise cosmic ordering; this verse supports that framework by defining sequential time units that contextualize the timing of post-death states and ritual efficacy.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages disciplined awareness of time—performing śrāddha, pinda-dāna, and daily duties punctually—recognizing that tradition situates personal life within a larger sacred chronology.