Shloka 9
Gāruḍa-Māhātmya and Tārkṣya-Stotra: Fruits of Hearing/Reciting and the Power of Garuḍa’s Praise
मुनीनां शृण्वतां मध्ये पृच्छतः सर्ववाचकम् / यः पठेच्छणुयाद्वापि श्रावयेद्वा समाहितः
munīnāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ madhye pṛcchataḥ sarvavācakam / yaḥ paṭhecchaṇuyādvāpi śrāvayedvā samāhitaḥ
ശ്രവിക്കുന്ന മുനിമാരുടെ മദ്ധ്യേ, ചോദിക്കുന്നവന് മറുപടിയായി, സമ്പൂർണ്ണ ഉപദേശത്തെ ആരെങ്കിലും പാരായണം ചെയ്താൽ—അഥവാ കേട്ടാൽ, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ഏകാഗ്രചിത്തത്തോടെ മറ്റുള്ളവരെ കേൾപ്പിച്ചാൽ—അവൻ പുണ്യഫലം പ്രാപിക്കും.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Śravaṇa–pāṭha–śrāvaṇa (hearing, reciting, enabling hearing) with samāhita-citta yields spiritual merit; communal transmission is itself a sādhanā.
Vedantic Theme: Purifying power of śravaṇa and saṅga; mind’s one-pointedness (ekāgratā) as a prerequisite for assimilating dharma and devotion.
Application: Attend readings with focused mind; recite for others; support dissemination (hosting, sponsoring, sharing recordings) as a devotional act.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: hermitage-assembly
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated phalaśruti on śravaṇa/pāṭha and ‘samāhita’ listening in concluding sections
FAQs
This verse states that merit arises not only from reciting, but also from attentive listening and facilitating others’ listening—especially in a setting of sages and inquiry.
It frames the transmission of the Purana—recitation, hearing, and teaching—as a dharmic act that prepares the mind and supports right understanding, which is central to its guidance on karma and post-death consequences.
Attend or host focused readings, listen with full attention, and share authentic teachings responsibly—treating study and hearing as disciplined practice, not casual entertainment.