Shloka 12

Bhakti-māhātmya: The Marks of the Vaiṣṇava and the Liberating Power of Exclusive Devotion

Devanagari script

मन्त्रजापिसहस्रेभ्यः सर्ववेदान्तपारगः / सर्ववेदान्तवित्कोट्यां विष्णुभक्तो विशिष्यते

Transliteration

mantrajāpisahasrebhyaḥ sarvavedāntapāragaḥ / sarvavedāntavitkoṭyāṃ viṣṇubhakto viśiṣyate

Translation

ただマントラを反復する者が幾千あろうとも、ヴェーダーンタ全体の彼岸に到った者は稀である。さらに、そのようなヴェーダーンタ通暁者が幾千万（コーティ）いようとも、ヴィシュヌのバクタこそ最も卓越すると称えられる。

Word by Word

• मन्त्रजापिसहस्रेभ्यः: than thousands of mantra-chanters (or mantra-recitation thousands)
• मन्त्रजापिसहस्रेभ्यः: Apadana (Standard of comparison/source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र-जापि-सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/तुलना), बहुवचन; समासः (मन्त्रस्य जापः—मन्त्रजापः; मन्त्रजापि—मन्त्रजापिन्/जापि; मन्त्रजापि-सहस्र)

• सर्ववेदान्तपारगः: one who has mastered all Vedānta
• सर्ववेदान्तपारगः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-वेदान्त-पारग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः (सर्वेषां वेदान्तानां पारगः)

• सर्ववेदान्तवित्: knower of all Vedānta
• सर्ववेदान्तवित्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-वेदान्त-विद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः (सर्वेषां वेदान्तानां विद् = ज्ञाता)

• कोट्याम्: in a crore; among ten million
• कोट्याम्: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोटि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (अधिकरण), एकवचन

• विष्णुभक्तः: a devotee of Vishnu
• विष्णुभक्तः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु-भक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (कर्ता), एकवचन; समासः (विष्णोः भक्तः)

• विशिष्यते: is distinguished; excels
• विशिष्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विशिष् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपदम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bhakti to Viṣṇu surpasses mere ritual repetition and even rare Vedānta scholarship/realization in distinguished excellence.

Vedantic Theme: Integration of jñāna and bhakti: knowledge without devotion is incomplete; the highest realization flowers as loving surrender to the Supreme Person (Puruṣottama).

Application: Do japa with understanding and transformation; study Vedānta to purify view; prioritize devotion, humility, and service so knowledge becomes lived realization.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated praise of Viṣṇu-nāma and bhakti as superior means in Kali-yuga (contextual parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Vedanta

FAQs

What is the importance of Vishnu-bhakti in the Garuda Purana?

This verse ranks Viṣṇu-devotion above both mantra-repetition and even extensive Vedānta scholarship, presenting bhakti as the highest distinguishing spiritual attainment.

Does the verse reject mantra-japa or Vedanta study?

No; it acknowledges their value but emphasizes that devotion to Viṣṇu is rarer and superior even among accomplished Vedānta knowers.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Combine practice (japa) and understanding (study) with heartfelt devotion—orient daily worship, ethics, and remembrance toward Viṣṇu as the central goal.