Shloka 11

Devanagari script

नीलन चाङ्कितः सत्त्वतेजसा संयुतो भवेत् / वस्त्रधान्यादिसंग्राही तडागादि करोति च

Transliteration

nīlana cāṅkitaḥ sattvatejasā saṃyuto bhavet / vastradhānyādisaṃgrāhī taḍāgādi karoti ca

Translation

നീലചിഹ്നംകൊണ്ട് അടയാളപ്പെട്ടും സത്ത്വജന്യ തേജസ്സോടെ യുക്തനുമായ അവൻ വസ്ത്രം, ധാന്യം മുതലായവ ശേഖരിക്കുന്നു; കൂടാതെ കുളം മുതലായ ജനഹിത പ്രവർത്തികളും നടത്തിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• नीलन: blue mark/blueing (reading uncertain)
• नीलन: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नीलन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन; पाठभेदसम्भवः (नीलन/नीलः)

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

• अङ्कितः: marked, stamped
• अङ्कितः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √अङ्क्/अङ्कय् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• सत्त्वतेजसा: by the power/energy of sattva
• सत्त्वतेजसा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सत्त्वस्य तेजः)

• संयुतः: endowed/connected
• संयुतः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + √युज् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भवेत्: may become/should be
• भवेत्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• वस्त्रधान्यादिसंग्राही: collector/accumulator of clothes, grain, etc.
• वस्त्रधान्यादिसंग्राही: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + धान्य (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + संग्राही (√ग्रह्, णिनि-कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (वस्त्र-धान्य-आदि-संग्राही = collector of clothes, grain, etc.)

• तडागादि: ponds and the like
• तडागादि: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तडाग (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (तडाग-आदि = ponds etc.)

• करोति: makes/constructs
• करोति: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

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

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (in dialogue with Garuḍa/Vinātā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sattva manifests as clarity, auspicious signs, and constructive accumulation used for welfare—building ponds and storing essentials for dharmic purposes.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva as light (prakasha) enabling right action; karma-yoga orientation—resources as instruments of dharma rather than ego.

Application: Channel prosperity into community infrastructure (water harvesting, ponds), food security, and clothing/relief; maintain clean livelihood and transparent stewardship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: public space

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: praise of dana and public works (tadaga, arama) as punya (general thematic link)

FAQs

What is the importance of sattva (purity) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse links sattva-tejas (the radiance of purity) with auspicious outcomes—prosperity and a tendency toward dharmic, welfare-oriented actions—showing that inner purity supports outward charity and constructive deeds.

How does this verse explain karmic results in daily life?

It presents a karmic pattern: a person marked by sattvic qualities becomes inclined to gather and provide essentials like clothing and grain and to create public resources such as ponds—implying that virtuous disposition and beneficent acts reinforce favorable life conditions.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate sattva through ethical living and service: donate food and clothing, and support community resources (water projects, shelters, public utilities). The verse emphasizes practical, society-benefiting dharma.