Shloka 38
Paramparā (Transmission), Rudra’s Viṣṇu-Dhyāna, and the Garuḍa Purāṇa’s Origin-Impulse
तथाष्टादश विद्याश्च हरी रुद्रं ततो ऽब्रवीत् / हरिरुवाच / शृणु रुद्र ! प्रवक्ष्यामि ब्रह्मणा च सुरैः सह
tathāṣṭādaśa vidyāśca harī rudraṃ tato 'bravīt / hariruvāca / śṛṇu rudra ! pravakṣyāmi brahmaṇā ca suraiḥ saha
ಹೀಗೆ ಅಷ್ಟಾದಶ ವಿದ್ಯೆಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹೇಳಿ ಹರಿ ರುದ್ರನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಹರಿರುವಾಚ: ಹೇ ರುದ್ರ! ಕೇಳು; ಬ್ರಹ್ಮನೂ ದೇವರೂ ಜೊತೆಯಾಗಿ ನಾನು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Lord Vishnu (Hari)
Concept: Announcement of systematic exposition (pravacana) after reference to the eighteen vidyās; instruction delivered with Brahmā and the Devas as corroborating presence.
Vedantic Theme: Śāstra as pramāṇa and the legitimacy of transmitted knowledge; harmonization of divine authorities under the Supreme’s teaching.
Application: Approach learning as structured (vidyā-samgraha), listen attentively (śravaṇa), and verify understanding through coherent tradition rather than isolated fragments.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: divine assembly
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Purvakhanda enumerations of vidyā/śāstra topics and subsequent doctrinal sections
FAQs
This verse signals a transition into authoritative instruction: Hari frames the teaching as grounded in the recognized “eighteen branches of knowledge,” indicating a comprehensive, tradition-aligned exposition.
Indirectly—by establishing that the forthcoming explanation is a formal, divinely endorsed teaching. It sets the stage for doctrinal clarity rather than detailing the soul’s journey in this specific line.
Approach spiritual and ritual teachings with disciplined listening (śravaṇa) and respect for established knowledge systems—study systematically before drawing conclusions or practicing rites.