Shloka 14

Sṛṣṭi-krama, Pratibimba-Upādhi, and Viṣṇu as Primary Brahman

with Pralaya and Nāma-Stuti

Devanagari script

प्रतिबिंबस्य शब्दार्थो ह्ययमेवमुदाहृतः / तस्माच्च बिंबरूपाणामेकीभावं न चिन्तयेत्

Transliteration

pratibiṃbasya śabdārtho hyayamevamudāhṛtaḥ / tasmācca biṃbarūpāṇāmekībhāvaṃ na cintayet

Translation

ഇങ്ങനെ ‘പ്രതിബിംബം’ എന്ന പദത്തിന്റെ അർത്ഥം വിശദീകരിക്കപ്പെട്ടു. അതിനാൽ മൂലരൂപത്തിനും അതിന്റെ പ്രതിബിംബരൂപങ്ങൾക്കും പരമ ഐക്യം കൽപ്പിക്കരുത്.

Word by Word

• pratibiṃbasya: of (the word) reflection / of reflection
• pratibiṃbasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prati-biṃba (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• śabda-arthaḥ: word-meaning, meaning of the term
• śabda-arthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी) sense: 'śabdasya arthaḥ'; Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), emphasis

• ayam: this
• ayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• evam: thus
• evam: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय)

• udāhṛtaḥ: has been stated/declared
• udāhṛtaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ud-ā-√hṛ (धातु) + -ta (क्त) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; used predicatively with implied 'asti'

• tasmāt: therefore, from that
• tasmāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; used as discourse connector

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय)

• biṃba-rūpāṇām: of the forms of the original
• biṃba-rūpāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: biṃba (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी) sense: 'biṃbasya rūpāṇi'; Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• ekībhāvam: oneness
• ekībhāvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ekībhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• na: not
• na: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-निपात)

• cintayet: should think/consider
• cintayet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √cint (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular, Parasmaipada

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bimba–pratibimba nyāya: the ‘reflection’ depends on the original; do not posit absolute identity between original and reflected appearances.

Vedantic Theme: Adhyāsa-bheda-viveka; dependent reality of appearances; distinction between ādhāra (substratum) and ābhāsa (appearance).

Application: Cultivate discrimination: treat self-images, roles, and mental reflections as dependent appearances; seek the underlying reality rather than equating it with its projections.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.2.15-18 (continuation of bimba–pratibimba and eka-aneka discussion)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of the reflection (pratibimba) teaching in the Garuda Purana?

It clarifies that what appears as a “reflection” is dependent and secondary, so one should not mistake appearances for the original reality—supporting correct discrimination (viveka).

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By warning against confusing the original and its appearances, it supports the idea that the soul (true self) should not be identified with reflected conditions such as mental images, subtle-body impressions, or changing states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice discernment: treat thoughts, emotions, and social identity as “reflections,” and base decisions on dharma and steady awareness rather than transient appearances.