Shloka 23

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

देवताभ्यर्चनं पूजा ब्राह्मणानां विशेषतः / अहिंसा प्रियवादित्वमपैशुन्यमरूक्षता

Transliteration

devatābhyarcanaṃ pūjā brāhmaṇānāṃ viśeṣataḥ / ahiṃsā priyavāditvamapaiśunyamarūkṣatā

Translation

Pemujaan dan arcanā kepada para dewa, terutama pelayanan hormat kepada para brāhmaṇa; ahiṃsā, tutur kata yang menyenangkan, bebas dari fitnah, dan kelembutan—itulah tanda-tanda perilaku dharma.

Word by Word

• देवताभ्यर्चनम्: worship of deities
• देवताभ्यर्चनम्: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (देवताः अभ्यर्च्यन्ते येन/देवतायाः अभ्यर्चनम् = worship of deities); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पूजा: reverential offering
• पूजा: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पूजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ब्राह्मणानाम्: of Brahmins
• ब्राह्मणानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन

• विशेषतः: especially
• विशेषतः: Sambandha (Qualifier/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विशेषतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: especially)

• अहिंसा: non-violence
• अहिंसा: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-हिंसा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रियवादित्वम्: speaking pleasantly
• प्रियवादित्वम्: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + वादित्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (प्रियं वदति इति/प्रियस्य वादित्वम् = pleasant speech); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अपैशुन्यम्: absence of slander
• अपैशुन्यम्: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-पैशुन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अरूक्षता: non-harshness (gentleness)
• अरूक्षता: Karta (Item in list/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ-रूक्षता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Righteous conduct is marked by worship, honoring the custodians of sacred learning/ritual, and ethical non-harm expressed through speech: pleasant words, non-slander, non-harshness.

Vedantic Theme: Vāk-śuddhi and ahiṃsā as mind-purifiers; devotion expressed as ethical refinement, not mere ritualism.

Application: Before speaking, apply a threefold filter: true (satya), beneficial (hita), gentle (priya); avoid gossip; pair daily pūjā with a concrete act of non-harm (kindness, restraint, or service).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: ritual-social space (mandira/gṛha-devatā-sthāna)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.21-22 (virtues, satya, indriya-nigraha)

Characters & Entities

• Devas
• Brahmanas

FAQs

What is the importance of deva-puja in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents deva-worship (devatābhyarcana/pūjā) as a foundational dharmic practice, paired with ethical restraints like non-violence and pure speech, indicating that ritual devotion must be supported by character.

How does this verse relate to karma and one’s post-death destiny in Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing ahiṃsā, kind speech, and freedom from slander, the verse highlights conduct that reduces harmful karma—principles that Garuda Purana repeatedly links with better outcomes after death and avoidance of suffering caused by sinful speech and injury.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain regular worship or prayer, treat spiritual teachers and elders with respect, practice non-violence in action and intention, speak kindly and truthfully, and avoid gossip or character-assassination.