Shloka 39

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

हरेः कथा दुर्लभा मर्त्यलोके हरेर्दीक्षा दुर्लभा दुर्लभा च / हरेस्तत्त्वे निर्णयो दुर्लभो हि हरेर्दासैः संगमो दुर्लभश्च

Transliteration

hareḥ kathā durlabhā martyaloke harerdīkṣā durlabhā durlabhā ca / harestattve nirṇayo durlabho hi harerdāsaiḥ saṃgamo durlabhaśca

Translation

മർത്ത്യലോകത്തിൽ ഹരികഥ ദുർലഭം; ഹരിദീക്ഷയും അത്യന്തം ദുർലഭം. ഹരിതത്ത്വത്തിന്റെ യഥാർത്ഥ നിർണ്ണയം ദുഷ്കരം; ഹരിദാസന്മാരുടെ സംഗവും ദുർലഭം.

Word by Word

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• kathā: narration/discourse
• kathā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kathā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabhā: rare
• durlabhā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with kathā

• martya-loke: in the mortal world
• martya-loke: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: martya + loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; 'in the world of mortals'

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• dīkṣā: initiation
• dīkṣā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dīkṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabhā: rare
• durlabhā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with dīkṣā

• durlabhā: very rare
• durlabhā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; repetition for emphasis

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• tattve: in the truth/essence
• tattve: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• nirṇayaḥ: ascertainment/decision
• nirṇayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nirṇaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabhaḥ: rare
• durlabhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with nirṇayaḥ

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (खलु/हेतु-अर्थे अव्यय)

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• dāsaiḥ: with servants/devotees
• dāsaiḥ: Sahakāraka (सह/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

• saṅgamaḥ: association/meeting
• saṅgamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṅgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabhaḥ: rare
• durlabhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रātipadika)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with saṅgamaḥ

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय); here enclitic after sandhi

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Four rarities: Hari-kathā, Hari-dīkṣā, decisive knowledge of Hari’s tattva, and association with Hari’s dāsas (saints).

Vedantic Theme: satsanga as the gateway to jñāna and bhakti; tattva-nirṇaya requires śravaṇa–manana under guidance; bhakti matures through saintly company.

Application: Seek authentic teachers and communities; prioritize śāstra-based discourse, receive disciplined initiation responsibly, and cultivate discernment through study and reflection.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: loka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19.38 (puṇya as cause of bhakti); Garuda Purana 3.19.40-42 (rarities of worship, nāma, śālagrāma, sadguru)

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Haridasa (servants of Vishnu)

FAQs

What is the importance of Hari-kathā (hearing about Vishnu) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that Hari-kathā is rare in the mortal world, implying it is a precious spiritual opportunity that supports devotion and right understanding.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey and liberation themes in the Garuda Purana?

By emphasizing dīkṣā, discernment of tattva, and satsanga with devotees, it points to the inner causes of liberation—spiritual initiation, correct knowledge, and holy company—beyond mere external circumstances.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek regular Hari-kathā, receive guidance/initiation from a qualified tradition, cultivate clear understanding of core teachings, and keep company with sincere devotees to strengthen ethical and devotional living.