Shloka 23

Hari in the Primeval Waters: Prakṛti as Veil, the ‘Sleep’ Metaphor, and Brahmā’s Lotus-Channel Inquiry

Devanagari script

स्वरूपा ह्यस्वरूपाश्च स्वस्वरूपनि दर्शने / गृहीता इति विज्ञेया न स्वरूपाः खगेश्वर

Transliteration

svarūpā hyasvarūpāśca svasvarūpani darśane / gṛhītā iti vijñeyā na svarūpāḥ khageśvara

Translation

ഹേ ഖഗേശ്വര (ഗരുഡാ), സ്വരൂപവും അസ്വരൂപവും—സ്വന്തം യഥാർത്ഥ സ്വരൂപദർശനത്തിൽ—മാത്രം ‘ഗ്രഹീതം’ (മനസ്സാൽ പിടിച്ചെടുത്തത്) എന്നു ബോധിക്കണം; അവ പരമാർത്ഥത്തിൽ സ്വരൂപമല്ല।

Word by Word

• स्वरूपाः: (those) having true form
• स्वरूपाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; विशेषण (some entities described as 'having true form')

• हि: indeed
• हि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• अ-स्वरूपाः: (those) without true form
• अ-स्वरूपाः: कर्ता (Co-subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (नञ्) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; नञ्-समासार्थ (negated adjective)

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

• स्व-स्वरूपनि: in their own form
• स्व-स्वरूपनि: अधिकरण (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष ('own form'); सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/अधिकरण), एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग (पाणिनीय-प्रयोगे 'स्वरूपे' अर्थे)

• दर्शने: in the seeing/vision
• दर्शने: अधिकरण (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन, नपुंसकलिङ्ग

• गृहीताः: are grasped/are taken (as)
• गृहीताः: विधेय (Predicative complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु) → गृहीत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (PPP); प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; (स्वरूपाः/अस्वरूपाः) इत्यस्य विधेय

• इति: thus
• इति: वाक्यचिह्न (Quotative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्ति-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• विज्ञेयाः: should be understood
• विज्ञेयाः: विधेय (Predicative complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु) → ज्ञेय (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तव्यत्/अनीयर्-अर्थे (gerundive: 'to be understood'); प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

• न: not
• न: निषेध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• स्वरूपाः: truly-formed (in reality)
• स्वरूपाः: विधेय (Predicative complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग; निषेधेन सह (not truly-formed)

• खग-ईश्वर: O lord of birds
• खग-ईश्वर: सम्बोधन (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन, पुल्लिङ्ग

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Both ‘real’ and ‘unreal’ forms, when examined in the light of one’s true nature, are merely grasped appearances; they are not the ultimate svarūpa.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāropa-apavāda; dṛg-dṛśya viveka; nāmarūpa as upādhi; ultimate reality beyond conceptual form.

Application: Practice discrimination: observe perceptions and concepts as objects; rest in the witnessing awareness; use forms devotionally but do not reify them as ultimate.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: inner contemplative ‘realm’ (ātma-darśana)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.11.22 (twofold insignia); Garuda Purana 3.11.25 (unknowability of sameness/difference)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda (Khageshvara)

FAQs

What is the importance of knowing 'svarūpa' (true nature) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that both real and unreal appearances are only mental apprehensions when measured against the Self; recognizing true nature reduces confusion and fear—central to Preta Kanda reflections on the soul.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

By distinguishing the Self from merely perceived forms, it frames after-death experiences as part of apprehended appearances, while the enduring reality is the soul’s essential nature—supporting detachment and clarity in the afterlife narrative.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice discernment: treat shifting identities and perceptions as grasped appearances, and cultivate steadiness through dharma, self-inquiry, and remembrance of the Self—especially during grief, rites, and moral decision-making.