Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

सर्वदाऽलोचनायुक्तस्तेन स्वालोचनं कृतम् / अज्ञानां मोहनार्थाय हरिप्रीत्यर्थमेव च

Transliteration

sarvadā'locanāyuktastena svālocanaṃ kṛtam / ajñānāṃ mohanārthāya hariprītyarthameva ca

Translation

അവൻ എപ്പോഴും വിവേകസമ്പന്നൻ; അതുകൊണ്ട് ആത്മപരിശോധന നടത്തി—അജ്ഞരെ മോഹിപ്പിക്കാനുമായി, കൂടാതെ ഹരി (വിഷ്ണു) പ്രീതിക്കായി മാത്രവുമായി।

Word by Word

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of time)

• आलोचना-युक्तः: endowed with reflection
• आलोचना-युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आलोचना (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘आलोचनया युक्तः’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (ब्रह्मा/सः)

• तेन: by him/therefore
• तेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• स्व-आलोचनम्: self-reflection
• स्व-आलोचनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + आलोचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (descriptive) ‘स्वं आलोचनम्’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• कृतम्: was done
• कृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय (predicate)

• अज्ञानाम्: of the ignorant (people)
• अज्ञानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठीविभक्ति (6th), बहुवचन

• मोहन-अर्थाय: for the purpose of deluding
• मोहन-अर्थाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोहन (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (purpose) ‘मोहनस्य अर्थः’; पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थीविभक्ति (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (dative of purpose)

• हरि-प्रीति-अर्थम्: for Hari’s pleasure
• हरि-प्रीति-अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रीति (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘हरेः प्रीत्यर्थम्’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति (2nd), एकवचन; प्रयोजनार्थे (accusative of purpose)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारण (emphasis)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Self-examination (svālōcana) guided by discernment is undertaken for Hari-prīti and to dispel ignorance in others.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka leading to avidyā-kṣaya; devotion as purifier of buddhi and motive-force for inquiry.

Application: Practice daily self-review of motives and actions, aligning intention with devotion and clarity; teach by example to reduce confusion in the unlearned.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.11.47-48 (continuation of inquiry); Garuda Purana 3.12.1-2 (knowledge/ignorance analysis)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)

FAQs

What is the importance of self-examination (svālocana) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents svālocana as a deliberate spiritual discipline grounded in discernment, ultimately oriented toward pleasing Hari rather than mere self-justification.

How does this verse explain the role of ignorance in spiritual life?

It indicates that the ignorant can be “confounded” (mohana) by higher discernment—implying that superficial understanding is destabilized when confronted with genuine introspection and devotion.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice regular self-review of actions and motives, and align choices with dharma and devotion—acting less for display and more for inner integrity and spiritual intent.