Shloka 3

Dhyāna of Hari and the Procedure of Āditya/Sūrya Worship

Devanagari script

अक्षरं सर्वगं नित्यं महब्द्रह्मास्ति केवलम् / सर्वस्य जगतो मूलं सर्वगं परमेशवरम्

Transliteration

akṣaraṃ sarvagaṃ nityaṃ mahabdrahmāsti kevalam / sarvasya jagato mūlaṃ sarvagaṃ parameśavaram

Translation

അക്ഷരൻ, സർവ്വവ്യാപിയും നിത്യനും—അവൻ മാത്രമേ പരബ്രഹ്മമായുള്ളൂ. അവൻ തന്നെയാണ് സർവ്വജഗത്തിന്റെ മൂലം, എല്ലായിടത്തും വ്യാപിച്ച പരമേശ്വരൻ.

Word by Word

• अक्षरम्: the imperishable (Brahman)
• अक्षरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; substantive (the Imperishable)

• सर्वगम्: all-pervading
• सर्वगम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण of अक्षरम्

• नित्यम्: eternal
• नित्यम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण of अक्षरम्

• महद्ब्रह्म: the great Brahman
• महद्ब्रह्म: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारय (महद् ब्रह्म)

• अस्ति: is
• अस्ति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; parasmaipada

• केवलम्: alone, solely
• केवलम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: केवल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; predicate adjective (only/sole)

• सर्वस्य: of all
• सर्वस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; genitive qualifier

• जगतः: of the world
• जगतः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; genitive dependent on मूलम्

• मूलम्: root, source
• मूलम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; predicate noun

• सर्वगम्: all-pervading
• सर्वगम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्वग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषण (repeated epithet)

• परमेश्वरम्: the Supreme Lord
• परमेश्वरम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (परमः ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (addressing Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Akshara Brahman as the sole, eternal, all-pervading root-cause of the universe; Ishvara as the supreme ground.

Vedantic Theme: Brahman as jagat-kāraṇa (material/efficient ground) and sarvagatatva; movement toward nirguṇa-brahma orientation while retaining īśvara-language.

Application: Contemplate the Imperishable as the substratum of all experience; reduce attachment to transient forms by remembering the ‘root’ reality in daily perception.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Brahma-khanda/adhyaya 16 context): descriptions of Brahman/Paramatman as all-pervading root; Garuda Purana later Vishnu-bhakti passages identifying Vishnu as the supreme ground

Characters & Entities

• Brahman
• Parameśvara

FAQs

What is the importance of Akṣara (the Imperishable) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse identifies Akṣara as the eternal, all-pervading Supreme Brahman—knowing this highest reality is presented as foundational spiritual knowledge.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By pointing to Brahman/Parameśvara as the universal root and all-pervading reality, it frames liberation-oriented understanding: the soul’s highest aim is realization of the Imperishable rather than mere worldly outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steady remembrance and inquiry into the eternal (Brahman) alongside ethical living—seeing the divine as present everywhere supports restraint, compassion, and devotion.