Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

तस्या उत्तरदिग्भागे क्रोशयुग्मे महातले / गर्तभूते च एकान्ते चचार तप उत्तमम्

Transliteration

tasyā uttaradigbhāge krośayugme mahātale / gartabhūte ca ekānte cacāra tapa uttamam

Translation

ആ സ്ഥലത്തിന്റെ വടക്കുഭാഗത്ത്, രണ്ടു ക്രോശ ദൂരത്ത്, വിശാലമായ താഴ്ന്ന നിലത്ത്—കുഴിപോലെയും പൂർണ്ണ ഏകാന്തവുമായിടത്ത്—അവൻ ഉത്തമ തപസ് അനുഷ്ഠിച്ചു.

Word by Word

• tasyāḥ: of her
• tasyāḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; सर्वनाम

• uttara-dik-bhāge: in the northern direction-part
• uttara-dik-bhāge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: uttara + diś + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (उत्तरायाः दिशः भागः)

• krośa-yugme: at a distance of two krośas
• krośa-yugme: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: krośa + yugma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (क्रोशयोः युग्मम् = two krośas)

• mahā-tale: on a broad ground
• mahā-tale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + tala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महत्तलम्)

• garta-bhūte: in a pit-like (place)
• garta-bhūte: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: garta + bhūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (गर्त इव भूते) विशेषणम् (एकान्ते)

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

• ekānte: in solitude/in a secluded place
• ekānte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• cacāra: practised/performed
• cacāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: car (चर् धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• tapaḥ: austerity
• tapaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (ending -aḥ as neuter nom/acc sg)

• uttamam: excellent
• uttamam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: uttama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; विशेषणम् (तपः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: tapas in ekānta (solitude) as a means to concentrate mind and invoke divine grace

Vedantic Theme: indriya-nigraha and ekāgratā as supports for realization; outward seclusion mirroring inward withdrawal

Application: create intentional solitude for deep practice; choose a simple place, reduce stimuli, and sustain a consistent discipline

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: secluded ground/forest-edge austerity spot

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19.52 (dhyāna of Nārāyaṇa and stotra after long tapas)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of solitude (ekānta) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse links “ekānta” (seclusion) with “tapa uttamam” (supreme austerity), implying that withdrawal from distractions supports intense purification and focused spiritual practice.

How does this verse connect to Garuda Purana themes about afterlife and purification?

Preta Kanda repeatedly emphasizes purification through disciplined conduct; here, the setting and the act of tapas indicate a method of inner cleansing that complements ritual and ethical preparation discussed in afterlife contexts.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Create regular periods of seclusion—quiet study, japa, fasting or restraint—so that self-discipline (tapas) becomes steady and supports dharmic living.