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Shloka 23

Hari in the Primeval Waters: Prakṛti as Veil, the ‘Sleep’ Metaphor, and Brahmā’s Lotus-Channel Inquiry

Devanagari script

स्वरूपा ह्यस्वरूपाश्च स्वस्वरूपनि दर्शने / गृहीता इति विज्ञेया न स्वरूपाः खगेश्वर

Transliteration

svarūpā hyasvarūpāśca svasvarūpani darśane / gṛhītā iti vijñeyā na svarūpāḥ khageśvara

Translation

ឱ ព្រះអម្ចាស់នៃបក្សី (គរុឌ) រូបដែលពិត និងរូបដែលមិនពិត—នៅពេលឃើញដោយពន្លឺនៃសភាពពិតរបស់ខ្លួន—គួរយល់ថា គ្រាន់តែជា «អ្វីដែលចិត្តចាប់យក» ប៉ុណ្ណោះ; វាមិនមែនជាសភាពពិតដ៏ជាក់ស្តែងទេ។

Word by Word
स्वरूपाः(those) having true form
स्वरूपाः:
कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootस्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
Formप्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; विशेषण (some entities described as 'having true form')
हिindeed
हि:
निपात (Particle)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि (अव्यय)
Formनिपात (emphasis)
अ-स्वरूपाः(those) without true form
अ-स्वरूपाः:
कर्ता (Co-subject)
TypeAdjective
Rootअ (नञ्) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
Formप्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; नञ्-समासार्थ (negated adjective)
चand
च:
समुच्चय (Connector)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच (अव्यय)
Formसमुच्चय-अव्यय
स्व-स्वरूपनिin their own form
स्व-स्वरूपनि:
अधिकरण (Locus/अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootस्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
Formतत्पुरुष ('own form'); सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (पाणिनीय-प्रयोगे 'स्वरूपे' अर्थे)
दर्शनेin the seeing/vision
दर्शने:
अधिकरण (Locus/अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootदर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग
गृहीताःare grasped/are taken (as)
गृहीताः:
विधेय (Predicative complement)
TypeAdjective
Rootग्रह् (धातु) → गृहीत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formक्त-प्रत्यय (PPP); प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; (स्वरूपाः/अस्वरूपाः) इत्यस्य विधेय
इतिthus
इति:
वाक्यचिह्न (Quotative marker)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति (अव्यय)
Formउद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्ति-अव्यय (quotative particle)
विज्ञेयाःshould be understood
विज्ञेयाः:
विधेय (Predicative complement)
TypeAdjective
Rootवि + ज्ञा (धातु) → ज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formतव्यत्/अनीयर्-अर्थे (gerundive: 'to be understood'); प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग
नnot
न:
निषेध (Negation)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootन (अव्यय)
Formनिषेध-अव्यय
स्वरूपाःtruly-formed (in reality)
स्वरूपाः:
विधेय (Predicative complement)
TypeAdjective
Rootस्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
Formप्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; निषेधेन सह (not truly-formed)
खग-ईश्वरO lord of birds
खग-ईश्वर:
सम्बोधन (Address)
TypeNoun
Rootखग (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
Formसम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग
Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Both ‘real’ and ‘unreal’ forms, when examined in the light of one’s true nature, are merely grasped appearances; they are not the ultimate svarūpa.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa-apavāda; dṛg-dṛśya viveka; nāmarūpa as upādhi; ultimate reality beyond conceptual form.

Application: Practice discrimination: observe perceptions and concepts as objects; rest in the witnessing awareness; use forms devotionally but do not reify them as ultimate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: inner contemplative ‘realm’ (ātma-darśana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.11.22 (twofold insignia); Garuda Purana 3.11.25 (unknowability of sameness/difference)

Characters & Entities
G
Garuda (Khageshvara)

FAQs

This verse emphasizes that both real and unreal appearances are only mental apprehensions when measured against the Self; recognizing true nature reduces confusion and fear—central to Preta Kanda reflections on the soul.

By distinguishing the Self from merely perceived forms, it frames after-death experiences as part of apprehended appearances, while the enduring reality is the soul’s essential nature—supporting detachment and clarity in the afterlife narrative.

Practice discernment: treat shifting identities and perceptions as grasped appearances, and cultivate steadiness through dharma, self-inquiry, and remembrance of the Self—especially during grief, rites, and moral decision-making.

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