Shloka 24

An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord

Devanagari script

सर्वदाप्यविमिश्रं च सत्त्वराशिं खगेश्वर / सर्वदापि विमिश्रं च सत्त्वराशिं द्विजोत्तम

Transliteration

sarvadāpyavimiśraṃ ca sattvarāśiṃ khageśvara / sarvadāpi vimiśraṃ ca sattvarāśiṃ dvijottama

Translation

ഹേ ഖഗേശ്വരാ! ചിലരിൽ സത്ത്വരാശി എപ്പോഴും കലരാത്തതായിരിക്കും; ഹേ ദ്വിജോത്തമാ! മറ്റുചിലരിൽ സത്ത്വരാശി എപ്പോഴും മിശ്രിതമായിരിക്കും।

Word by Word

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• अविमिश्रम्: unmixed
• अविमिश्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अविमिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter acc sg: unmixed)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सत्त्वराशिम्: the mass/aggregate of sattva
• सत्त्वराशिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्त्व + राशि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: सत्त्वस्य राशिः; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), एकवचन (acc sg)

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: खगानाम् ईश्वरः; पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8 विभक्ति), एकवचन (vocative sg)

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थक-अव्यय (also/even)

• विमिश्रम्: mixed
• विमिश्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विमिश्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), एकवचन; विशेषण (neuter acc sg: mixed)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सत्त्वराशिम्: the mass/aggregate of sattva
• सत्त्वराशिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्त्व + राशि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: सत्त्वस्य राशिः; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2 विभक्ति), एकवचन (acc sg)

• द्विजोत्तम: O best of twice-born
• द्विजोत्तम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय: उत्तमः द्विजः; पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8 विभक्ति), एकवचन (vocative sg)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: There are gradations: some have sattva always unmixed (stable clarity), others have sattva always mixed (clarity continually entangled with rajas/tamas).

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra-bheda (differences in qualification); mind as guṇa-composite; necessity of purification for steady knowledge.

Application: Assess one’s baseline tendencies; design practice to stabilize sattva (regular sādhana, association with the sattvic, reducing agitation and inertia).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.22-23 (nature and limits of ‘kevala sattva’); Garuda Purana 3.4.25 (rajas-tamas intermixture)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of sattva being “unmixed” in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that some beings have a naturally pure, steady clarity (unmixed sattva), which supports dharma and right discernment, while others have sattva continually blended with rajas and tamas, affecting conduct and spiritual progress.

How does this verse explain differences in a soul’s path or tendencies?

By pointing to mixed vs. unmixed sattva, the text explains why individuals vary in virtue, restraint, and spiritual receptivity—differences shaped by guṇic composition that influences karma and choices.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate practices that increase sattva—truthfulness, moderation, non-violence, clean habits, and steady worship/meditation—so clarity becomes more stable and less disturbed by agitation (rajas) or inertia (tamas).