Shloka 14

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

योगाभ्यासरतो नित्यमारुरुक्षुर्जितेन्द्रियः / ज्ञानाय वर्तते भुक्षुः प्रोच्यते पारमेष्ठिकः

Transliteration

yogābhyāsarato nityamārurukṣurjitendriyaḥ / jñānāya vartate bhukṣuḥ procyate pārameṣṭhikaḥ

Translation

ಯಾವನು ನಿತ್ಯ ಯೋಗಾಭ್ಯಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ರತನಾಗಿ, ಉನ್ನತ ಅನುಭವಕ್ಕೆ ಏರಲು ಬಯಸಿ, ಇಂದ್ರಿಯಗಳನ್ನು ಜಯಿಸಿದವನು; ಜ್ಞಾನಾರ್ಥ ಭಿಕ್ಷುವಾಗಿ ವರ್ತಿಸುವವನು—ಅವನು ‘ಪಾರಮೇಷ್ಠಿಕ’ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಾನೆ.

Word by Word

• योगाभ्यासरतः: engaged in yogic practice
• योगाभ्यासरतः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योग + अभ्यास + रत (प्रातिपदिक; √रम् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्यम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), नित्यत्वार्थक

• आरुरुक्षुः: one desiring to ascend (spiritually)
• आरुरुक्षुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आरुरुक्षु (प्रातिपदिक; √रुह् (धातु) + सन् (desiderative) + उ (उणादि/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इच्छार्थक कृदन्त ('wishing to ascend')

• जितेन्द्रियः: having conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक; √जि (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• ज्ञानाय: for knowledge
• ज्ञानाय: Sampradana (Purpose/Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• वर्तते: conducts himself/abides
• वर्तते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• भुक्षुः: mendicant
• भुक्षुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रोच्यते: is called
• प्रोच्यते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद

• पारमेष्ठिकः: (one) of the highest order; pārameṣṭhika
• पारमेष्ठिकः: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पारमेष्ठिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Constant yoga-abhyāsa, indriya-jaya, and mendicancy oriented to jñāna define the highest aspirant (pārameṣṭhika).

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya supports jñāna: dama (sense control) and abhyāsa stabilize mind for realization of Brahman/Ātman.

Application: Commit to daily yoga/meditation, reduce sensory overload, live simply, and study/practice inquiry aimed at wisdom rather than status.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: hermitage/inner landscape

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.15 (ātmarati, nitya-tṛpti, dama as marks of true bhikṣu/yogin)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of yogābhyāsa (yoga practice) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats steady yogic practice, coupled with sense-mastery, as a defining qualification for the highest spiritual status and for pursuing liberating knowledge.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul toward liberation?

It frames liberation-oriented progress as an inner ascent: controlling the senses, living simply like a mendicant, and orienting one’s life toward jñāna (true knowledge).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent spiritual discipline, reduce sense-driven habits, and prioritize learning and contemplation that refine character and clarity.