Shloka 17

Atma-Jnana as the Direct Means to Moksha: Advaita, Maya, and the Three States

Devanagari script

बोधमार्गे यथा चित्तं सर्वेषां च तथा मते / सर्वदा सर्वभूतानां सर्वस्य च महामुने

Transliteration

bodhamārge yathā cittaṃ sarveṣāṃ ca tathā mate / sarvadā sarvabhūtānāṃ sarvasya ca mahāmune

Translation

ഹേ മഹാമുനേ! ബോധമാർഗത്തിൽ എല്ലാവരുടെയും ചിത്തം എങ്ങനെ പ്രവൃത്തിക്കുന്നു, അതുപോലെ തന്നെയാണ് ഈ മതം; ഈ നിയമം സദാ സർവ്വഭൂതങ്ങൾക്കും, എല്ലാവർക്കും ബാധകം।

Word by Word

• बोधमार्गे: on the path of knowledge
• बोधमार्गे: Adhikaraṇa (Location/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बोध + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; बोधस्य मार्गः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (Correlative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकार-अव्यय (as)

• चित्तम्: mind
• चित्तम्: Karta/Pratijñā (Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Correlative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: तुल्य-प्रकार-अव्यय (so/likewise)

• मते: in the view/opinion
• मते: Adhikaraṇa (Location/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kāla (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (adverb of time: always)

• सर्वभूतानाम्: of all beings
• सर्वभूतानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; सर्वाणि भूतानि इति कर्मधारय

• सर्वस्य: of all/of everything
• सर्वस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• महामुने: O great sage
• महामुने: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; महाः मुनिः इति कर्मधारय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bodha-mārga: consistent orientation of mind toward awakening is applicable to all beings at all times; universality of the principle.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya implied (mind-discipline); nitya-anitya viveka and abhyāsa as continuous orientation to truth.

Application: Adopt daily ‘bodha-mārga’ routines: meditation, self-inquiry, mindful speech; periodically re-aim the mind toward the witness during ordinary tasks.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections praising jñāna and steady mind as means to liberation

Characters & Entities

• All beings (sarvabhūtāni)

FAQs

What is the importance of the bodha-marga (path of awakening) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the path of awakening is universally applicable—guiding the mind toward true understanding is presented as a common principle for all beings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By centering the role of citta (mind/consciousness), it implies that inner orientation toward knowledge and clarity determines one’s spiritual course, a recurring theme in Garuda Purana’s guidance on liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Train the mind toward clarity—through ethical living, self-study, and steady contemplation—so that one’s daily choices align with awakening rather than confusion.