Shloka 32

Bhakti-māhātmya: The Marks of the Vaiṣṇava and the Liberating Power of Exclusive Devotion

Devanagari script

संसारविषवृक्षस्य द्वे फले ह्यमृतोपमे / कदाचित्केशवे भक्तिस्तद्भक्तैर्वा समागमः

Transliteration

saṃsāraviṣavṛkṣasya dve phale hyamṛtopame / kadācitkeśave bhaktistadbhaktairvā samāgamaḥ

Translation

സംസാരമെന്ന വിഷവൃക്ഷത്തിന് അമൃതസമമായ രണ്ട് ഫലങ്ങളേ ഉള്ളൂ—ഒരിക്കൽ കേശവനിലേക്കുള്ള ഭക്തി, മറ്റൊരിക്കൽ അവന്റെ ഭക്തന്മാരുടെ സംഗമം।

Word by Word

• संसारविषवृक्षस्य: of the poisonous tree of worldly existence
• संसारविषवृक्षस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃsāra (प्रातिपदिक) + viṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (संसारः एव विषः इव—विषवृक्षः)

• द्वे: two
• द्वे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; संख्याविशेषणम् (फले)

• फले: fruits
• फले: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic/causal particle)

• अमृतोपमे: like nectar
• अमृतोपमे: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amṛta (प्रातिपदिक) + upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, द्विवचन; कर्मधारयः (अमृतम् इव उपमे) विशेषणम् (फले)

• कदाचित्: sometimes
• कदाचित्: Adhikarana (Time/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kadācit (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (sometimes/at some time)

• केशवे: in/for Keśava
• केशवे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: keśava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; विषय-सप्तमी (in/with regard to Keśava)

• भक्तिः: devotion
• भक्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• तत्: of him/that (Lord’s)
• तत्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम; विशेषणम् (भक्तैः)

• भक्तैः: with devotees
• भक्तैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Alternative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (or)

• समागमः: meeting/association
• समागमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samāgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In the toxic cycle of worldly existence, the rare salvific supports are devotion to Keśava and the company of His devotees.

Vedantic Theme: Saṅga as a decisive cause: satsaṅga → bhakti → jñāna/vairāgya → mokṣa; the transformative power of holy association.

Application: Seek regular satsanga (temple, kīrtan, study circles); cultivate friendship with devotees; structure life to increase remembrance of Keśava.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring praise of Viṣṇu-bhakti and the merit of associating with sādhus as a purifier stronger than many expiations

Characters & Entities

• Keśava
• Vishnu
• Bhaktas (devotees)

FAQs

What is the importance of bhakti in the Garuda Purana?

This verse calls devotion to Keśava one of the two “nectar-like” fruits available even within the poisonous samsaric life, implying bhakti is a primary means to transcend suffering and rebirth.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Rather than focusing on punishments or routes after death, it highlights the preventative path: cultivating Vishnu-bhakti and keeping company with devotees, which purifies karma and supports liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain regular Vishnu-centered practice (japa, prayer, remembrance) and intentionally seek satsanga—study, kirtan, or service with sincere devotees—to reduce harmful habits and strengthen dharma.