Shloka 44

Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya

Overcoming Grief

Devanagari script

न मन्त्रबलवीर्येण प्रज्ञया पौरुषेण च / अलभ्यं लभ्यते मर्त्यैस्तत्र का परिवेदना

Transliteration

na mantrabalavīryeṇa prajñayā pauruṣeṇa ca / alabhyaṃ labhyate martyaistatra kā parivedanā

Translation

മന്ത്രബലത്താലോ, ശക്തിയാലോ, പ്രജ്ഞയാലോ, പുരുഷാർത്ഥത്താലോ—മർത്ത്യർക്ക് അപ്രാപ്യം പ്രാപ്യമാകുന്നില്ല; പിന്നെ വിലാപം എന്തിന്?

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (Negation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negative particle)

• मन्त्रबलवीर्येण: by mantra, strength, and vigor
• मन्त्रबलवीर्येण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र + बल + वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; समाहार-द्वन्द्व (collective dvandva)

• प्रज्ञया: by wisdom
• प्रज्ञया: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• पौरुषेण: by manly effort; valor
• पौरुषेण: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौरुष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Conjunction/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• अलभ्यम्: the unattainable
• अलभ्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलभ्य (प्रातिपदिक; √लभ् + यत्, with negation a-)
• Form: यत्-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/यत्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here as कर्म (object)

• लभ्यते: is obtained
• लभ्यते: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive)

• मर्त्यैः: by mortals
• मर्त्यैः: Karta (Agent in passive/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मर्त्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; कर्तृ-करणभावे (agent in passive)

• तत्र: there; in that case
• तत्र: Adhikarana (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/प्रसङ्गवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: there/in that case)

• का: what?
• का: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; प्रश्नवाचक-सर्वनाम

• परिवेदना: lamentation; complaint
• परिवेदना: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिवेदना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The unattainable (alabhya) cannot be forced by mantra, power, intellect, or effort; therefore grief is misplaced—recognize the boundary of agency.

Vedantic Theme: Distinguishing puruṣakāra (effort) from daiva/prārabdha (ripened karma); cultivating śānti through surrender and discernment of what is within control.

Application: Reduce rumination over impossibilities; focus on dharmic effort where outcomes are feasible; practice acceptance (kṣamā) and prayerful surrender when limits are reached.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring consolations on inevitability of karma-phala and the futility of śoka; teachings on daiva vs puruṣakāra

FAQs

What is the importance of detachment from grief in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that mourning cannot secure what is inherently unattainable, encouraging acceptance and steadiness of mind—especially relevant in death-related teachings of the Preta Kanda.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stressing the limits of mantra-power and personal effort against the inevitable, it supports the broader Garuda Purana narrative that the soul’s post-death course follows karma and ordained order rather than emotional resistance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When facing loss or irreversible outcomes, focus on dharmic action and inner composure instead of lamentation—perform what is proper, and accept what cannot be changed.