Shloka 11

Paramparā (Transmission), Rudra’s Viṣṇu-Dhyāna, and the Garuḍa Purāṇa’s Origin-Impulse

Devanagari script

पृष्टो नमस्कृतः किं त्वं देवं ध्यायसि शङ्कर? / त्वत्तो नान्यं परं देवं जानामि ब्रूहि मां ततः

Transliteration

pṛṣṭo namaskṛtaḥ kiṃ tvaṃ devaṃ dhyāyasi śaṅkara? / tvatto nānyaṃ paraṃ devaṃ jānāmi brūhi māṃ tataḥ

Translation

おおシャンカラよ、問われて恭しく礼拝されるとき、あなたはどの神を観想なさるのですか。あなたより上なる神を私は知らぬ。ゆえに真実を私に告げてください。

Word by Word

• पृष्टः: (having been) asked
• पृष्टः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पृच्छ् (धातु) → पृष्ट (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; past passive participle ‘asked’

• नमस्कृतः: (having been) saluted
• नमस्कृतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नमस् + कृ (धातु) → नमस्कृत (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (क्त-प्रत्ययान्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; past passive participle ‘saluted’

• किम्: why/what
• किम्: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किम् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (प्रश्नार्थक-निपात); interrogative particle ‘what/why’

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुं/स्त्री (प्रयोगे), प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; 2nd person pronoun

• देवम्: god/deity
• देवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; object of verb

• ध्यायसि: you meditate on
• ध्यायसि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन

• शङ्कर: O Śaṅkara
• शङ्कर: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; vocative address

• त्वत्तः: from you/than you
• त्वत्तः: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पञ्चमी (5th), एकवचन; ablative ‘from you/than you’

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

• अन्यम्: another
• अन्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; qualifies ‘devaṃ’

• परम्: supreme/higher
• परम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; qualifies ‘devaṃ’

• देवम्: god
• देवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• जानामि: I know
• जानामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन

• ब्रूहि: tell (me)
• ब्रूहि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd), एकवचन; imperative

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• ततः: therefore/then
• ततः: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (क्रियाविशेषण); ‘therefore/then/from that’

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Shiva (Shankara) in a narrative query

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Inquiry into the supreme object of meditation (dhyeya) beyond apparent sectarian supremacy.

Vedantic Theme: Paratva-nirṇaya (discernment of the Supreme) through śravaṇa and praśna.

Application: Approach teachers with humility; ask directly about one’s iṣṭa and the highest dhyāna-object rather than assuming.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: dialogue setting

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.2.12 (Rudra’s reply: Viṣṇu as Paramātman); Garuda Purana 1.2.14–15 (movement toward Viṣṇu and stuti/śaraṇāgati)

Characters & Entities

• Shankara (Shiva)
• Deva (Supreme deity)

FAQs

What is the importance of asking 'who is the Supreme deity' in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames a core Purāṇic inquiry: even revered gods are understood through devotion and hierarchy of worship, guiding seekers toward clarity about the object of meditation (dhyāna) and ultimate refuge.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it emphasizes that spiritual direction begins with correct devotion and understanding of whom to meditate upon—an orientation that later informs dharma, rites, and liberation-focused practice described elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain humility in spiritual life: ask sincere questions, seek clarity about your chosen ideal of worship (iṣṭa-devatā), and ground daily practice in consistent meditation rather than status or assumptions.