Shloka 25

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

with Pralaya and Nāma-Stuti

Devanagari script

श्रीभूदुर्गादिरूपाणां तथा सीतादिरूपिणाम् / अन्योन्यं नाणुमात्रं च भेदो बाह्यान्तरेपि च

Transliteration

śrībhūdurgādirūpāṇāṃ tathā sītādirūpiṇām / anyonyaṃ nāṇumātraṃ ca bhedo bāhyāntarepi ca

Translation

ശ്രീ, ഭൂ, ദുര്‍ഗാ മുതലായ രൂപങ്ങളിലും, സീത മുതലായ രൂപങ്ങളിലും, പുറമേയും ഉള്ളിലും—പരസ്പരം അണുമാത്രം പോലും ഭേദമില്ല।

Word by Word

• श्रीभूदुर्गादिरूपाणाम्: of the forms such as Śrī, Bhū, Durgā, etc.
• श्रीभूदुर्गादिरूपाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री + भू + दुर्गा + आदि + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; समासः: ‘श्री-भू-दुर्गा-आदि’ (dvandva-like list) + ‘रूप’ (forms) → ‘...-रूप’ (having forms such as)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; manner adverb (‘likewise’)

• सीतादिरूपिणाम्: of those having forms such as Sītā, etc.
• सीतादिरूपिणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सीता + आदि + रूपिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; ‘सीता-आदि’ + ‘रूपिन्’ (possessor of forms)

• अन्योन्यम्: mutually
• अन्योन्यम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्योन्यम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; reciprocal adverb (‘mutually/among themselves’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध/negation particle

• अणुमात्रम्: even an atom’s measure (the slightest)
• अणुमात्रम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अणु + मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; ‘अणोः मात्रा’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (‘even an atom’s measure’)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय/conjunction

• भेदः: difference
• भेदः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• बाह्यान्तरे: in the external and internal (aspects)
• बाह्यान्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाह्य + अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; द्वन्द्वः (‘externally and internally’)

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/particle; ‘even/also’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय/conjunction

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: All named divine feminine forms are non-different from one another, externally and internally; difference is only nominal/functional.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa bheda vs. tattva-abheda: many forms, one śakti-tattva aligned with the Lord.

Application: Reduce divisive hierarchy among deities; practice inclusive devotion; contemplate one śakti appearing as many for līlā and loka-saṅgraha.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.2.24; Garuda Purana 3.2.28

Characters & Entities

• Śrī (Lakṣmī)
• Bhū-devī
• Durgā
• Sītā

FAQs

What is the importance of describing non-difference among Devi forms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that various revered goddess-forms are essentially one in nature, helping devotees reconcile different names and iconographies without seeing them as competing divinities.

How does this verse explain the unity of the divine in practice?

By stating there is no external or internal difference, the verse frames these forms as different manifestations of the same divine power, guiding worship toward essence rather than mere appearance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Honor diverse devotional traditions while maintaining inner clarity that spiritual qualities—compassion, protection, auspiciousness—are expressions of one sacred reality.