Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

मिश्रितं भवति ह्यद्धा महत्तत्त्वं तदा स्मृतम् / एतदन्यो विशेषश्च मन्तध्यो विनतासुत

Transliteration

miśritaṃ bhavati hyaddhā mahattattvaṃ tadā smṛtam / etadanyo viśeṣaśca mantadhyo vinatāsuta

Translation

നിശ്ചയമായി അത് (തത്ത്വം) മിശ്രിതമാകുമ്പോൾ, അപ്പോൾ അതിനെ ‘മഹത്-തത്ത്വം’ എന്നു സ്മരിക്കുന്നു. ഇതിനെക്കുറിച്ച് മറ്റൊരു പ്രത്യേക വ്യത്യാസവും ഉണ്ട്—ഹേ വിനതാസുത (ഗരുഡ), കേൾക്കുക.

Word by Word

• miśritam: mixed
• miśritam: Karta-predicative (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: miśrita (कृदन्त; √miśr मिश्र् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘mixed’

• bhavati: becomes/is
• bhavati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; emphasis/indeed

• addhā: certainly
• addhā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: addhā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb), अव्यय; ‘certainly/clearly’

• mahat-tattvam: the Mahat principle
• mahat-tattvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahat + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (‘great’ + ‘principle’)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण, अव्यय; ‘then’

• smṛtam: is said/considered
• smṛtam: Karta-predicative (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛta (कृदन्त; √smṛ स्मृ धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘called/remembered’

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• anyaḥ: another/different
• anyaḥ: Karta-predicative (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• viśeṣaḥ: distinction
• viśeṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• mantadhyaḥ: O Mantadhya
• mantadhyaḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantadhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; संबोधनार्थे/नामरूपे (proper name/epithet)

• vinatā-suta: O son of Vinatā (Garuḍa)
• vinatā-suta: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinatā + suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘son of Vinatā’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-suta)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mahat-tattva is defined as a mixed/composite principle arising from guṇa-combination; further viśeṣa (specification) is promised.

Vedantic Theme: Cosmic intellect (mahat/buddhi) as first evolute of prakṛti; discrimination between evolutes and the witnessing self.

Application: Use buddhi (mahat) to observe guṇa-mixture in thoughts; strengthen discernment through study and reflection (śravaṇa-manana).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.54 (tāmasa portion in Mahat); Garuda Purana 3.4.55 (authority chain: Brahmā → Garuda)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Mahat-tattva

FAQs

What is the importance of Mahat-tattva in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Mahat-tattva as a defined cosmic principle that is recognized when it becomes ‘mixed/combined’—indicating a specific stage in the unfolding of creation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by clarifying cosmological principles (tattvas) such as Mahat, it frames the metaphysical background used in the Purana to explain subtle-body functioning and post-death states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a contemplative reminder that the mind/intellect is part of a larger cosmic process; cultivate discernment (buddhi) through dharma and self-discipline rather than identifying it as the ultimate Self.