Shloka 40

Vīrya, Māyā/Prakṛti, Śrī’s Inseparability, Paramāṇu, and Hari’s Infinitude

Devanagari script

स एवः स्यात्परमाणुर्द्विजेन्द्र योन्त्योवि (व) शेषोवयवश्च स स्मृतः

Transliteration

sa evaḥ syātparamāṇurdvijendra yontyovi (va) śeṣovayavaśca sa smṛtaḥ

Translation

ഹേ ദ്വിജശ്രേഷ്ഠാ, അതുതന്നെയാണ് പരമാണു എന്നു വിളിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത്; അത് അന്തിമ അവശിഷ്ടമായ അതിസൂക്ഷ്മ അവയവം—വിഭജിക്കാനാകാത്ത ശേഷഭാഗമായി സ്മൃതിയിൽ പറയുന്നു।

Word by Word

• saḥ: he/that
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; emphatic particle

• syāt: would be/is said to be
• syāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Vidhi-liṅ (विधिलिङ्/optative), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Singular (एकवचन)

• paramāṇuḥ: the atom
• paramāṇuḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paramāṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• dvijendra: O best of the twice-born
• dvijendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक) + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (कर्मधारय: ‘lord of the twice-born’); Vocative (8/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• yaḥ: which/who
• yaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• antyaḥ: final, ultimate
• antyaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: antya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying (viśeṣaḥ/paramāṇuḥ) by context

• viśeṣaḥ: particular (category)
• viśeṣaḥ: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• avayavaḥ: part, component
• avayavaḥ: Samānādhikaraṇa (समानाधिकरण/प्रथमा)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avayava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; conjunction

• saḥ: that (one)
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Sarvanāma, Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• smṛtaḥ: is called/considered
• smṛtaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: smṛ (धातु) + kta (कृत् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/कृदन्त); Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra; verse uses dvijendra as an address in the transmitted line)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Paramāṇu as the residual, subtle constituent (śeṣa) and as an indivisible part (avayava) that remains—i.e., the terminal unit beyond further division.

Vedantic Theme: Analysis of divisibility within prakṛti; recognition that conceptual division reaches a limit, inviting discernment between material minuteness and the truly partless (niravayava) Brahman.

Application: When reasoning about causes and composition, distinguish between conceptual partitions and the postulated terminal unit; avoid category errors (treating the ultimate spiritual as merely the smallest material).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.3.39 (lakṣaṇa and carama-viśeṣa); Garuda Purana 3.3.41 (Garuḍa’s question on paramāṇu)

Characters & Entities

• Paramanu

FAQs

What is the importance of paramāṇu in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines paramāṇu as the most minute, indivisible constituent—used to explain how gross forms are ultimately grounded in subtle parts and residues.

How does this verse relate to the subtle body or invisible reality?

By describing an ultimate, subtle “remainder/constituent” (śeṣa, avayava), the verse supports the Garuda Purana’s broader view that behind visible forms are finer, imperceptible components.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

It encourages a contemplative view of impermanence and composition—seeing the body and world as assemblies of parts—supporting detachment, ethical living, and disciplined spiritual practice.