Shloka 3

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

Devanagari script

अन्तरं न विजानीयाद्रूपाणां च परस्परम् / गुणानां चैव संबन्धाद्दुर्गादीनां खगेश्वर

Transliteration

antaraṃ na vijānīyādrūpāṇāṃ ca parasparam / guṇānāṃ caiva saṃbandhāddurgādīnāṃ khageśvara

Translation

ഹേ ഖഗേശ്വരാ! രൂപങ്ങൾ തമ്മിലുള്ള വ്യത്യാസം സ്വതന്ത്രമായി തിരിച്ചറിയാൻ കഴിയില്ല; ഗുണങ്ങളുടെ ബന്ധത്തിലൂടെയേ ദുര്ഗാദികളുടെ ഭേദങ്ങൾ—സൗലഭ്യം, ദുഷ്കരം മുതലായവ—അറിയപ്പെടൂ।

Word by Word

• अन्तरम्: difference, distinction
• अन्तरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

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

• विजानीयात्: should know/discern
• विजानीयात्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• रूपाणाम्: of forms
• रूपाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

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

• परस्परम्: mutually, with each other
• परस्परम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परस्पर (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव-प्रयोग)
• Form: अव्यय (adverbial use: ‘mutually’)

• गुणानाम्: of qualities (guṇas)
• गुणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

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

• एव: indeed, just
• एव: Sambandha (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• सम्बन्धात्: from/owing to connection
• सम्बन्धात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्बन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन

• दुर्ग-आदीनाम्: of Durga and others
• दुर्ग-आदीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्ग + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (दुर्गादयः), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds (Garuda)
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (vocative), पुंलिङ्ग, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘खगानाम् ईश्वरः’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Forms are not mutually separable in essence; perceived differences arise from guṇa-sambandha (relations of qualities) and functional attributes.

Vedantic Theme: Bhedābheda/adhyāropa-apavāda flavor: difference is empirical/functional, not ultimate; unity underlies apparent plurality.

Application: When judging people/events, distinguish guṇa-driven behavior from essential self; reduce reification of labels; practice viveka (discrimination) and guṇa-management.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana discussions on guṇas and deity-functions; later passages warning against mistaken metaphysical bheda

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of understanding guṇa-sambandha (relation of qualities) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that differences among forms are recognized through the linkage of their qualities; understanding guṇas becomes the key tool for spiritual discernment rather than mere outward appearance.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana teachings?

By emphasizing qualities over mere forms, it aligns with the Purana’s framework that a being’s experiences after death depend on inner attributes and karmic tendencies, not external identity alone.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate viveka: judge actions and states by their qualities (clarity, compassion, restraint vs. agitation, harm, greed) rather than appearances, and refine character to shape better outcomes.