Shloka 47

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

प्रयागाख्ये माधवस्यापि नित्यं सुदर्शनं दुर्लभं वै नृणां हि

Transliteration

prayāgākhye mādhavasyāpi nityaṃ sudarśanaṃ durlabhaṃ vai nṛṇāṃ hi

Translation

សូម្បីតែនៅទីបរិសុទ្ធដែលហៅថា ប្រយាគ ក៏ការទទួលទស្សន៍ដ៏អស់កល្បជានិច្ចនៃព្រះមាធវ គឺពិតជាពិបាកសម្រាប់មនុស្ស។

Word by Word

• prayāga-ākhye: in (the place) called Prayāga
• prayāga-ākhye: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: prayāga + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (प्रयाग इति आख्यं यस्मिन्)

• mādhavasya: of Mādhava (Viṣṇu)
• mādhavasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mādhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) अर्थः—also/even

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण द्वितीया) अर्थः—always

• sudarśanam: Sudarśana (divine vision/discus)
• sudarśanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su-darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; समासः—कर्मधारयः (सुन्दरं दर्शनं यस्य/सु-दर्शनम्)

• durlabham: hard to obtain
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dur-labha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; विशेषणम् (सुदर्शनम्)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• nṛṇām: of men
• nṛṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• hi: for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Causal/emphatic particle (निपात) अर्थः—for/indeed

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Nitya-darśana (steady experiential closeness to Mādhava) is rare; sacred location supports but does not guarantee abiding devotion.

Vedantic Theme: Sthira-bhakti and citta-śuddhi as prerequisites for ‘nitya’ communion; grace plus practice.

Application: Use pilgrimage as a catalyst for daily practice after returning home—japa, remembrance, ethical living—aiming for continuity rather than episodic inspiration.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: tirtha (saṅgama)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19 (Prayāga and other tīrthas praised with the refrain of rarity)

Characters & Entities

• Prayaga
• Madhava

FAQs

What is the importance of Prayāga in the Garuḍa Purāṇa?

This verse presents Prayāga as a highly sacred tīrtha, yet emphasizes that mere presence at a holy place does not guarantee divine realization; true attainment depends on inner eligibility and devotion.

What does this verse imply about attaining Mādhava’s darśana?

It teaches that darśana of Mādhava (Viṣṇu) is ‘durlabha’—rare—suggesting that spiritual vision is not automatic through pilgrimage alone but requires dharma, purity, and sustained bhakti.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat pilgrimage and temple visits as supports, not substitutes: cultivate daily discipline (japa, ethical living, compassion), so outward ritual aligns with inner transformation.