Shloka 49

Śrāddha as Trans-realm Nourishment; Pitṛ-Conveyance; Piṇḍa-born Body and the ātivāhika; Bhakti-based Release

Devanagari script

इति श्रुत्वा प्रियावाक्यं रामो विस्मितमानसः

Transliteration

iti śrutvā priyāvākyaṃ rāmo vismitamānasaḥ

Translation

ആ പ്രിയവചനങ്ങൾ കേട്ടപ്പോൾ രാമന്റെ മനസ്സ് വിസ്മയത്തോടെ നിറഞ്ഞു.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (वाक्यसमाप्ति/उक्ति)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उक्तिप्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (quotative particle: thus)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriya (पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), पूर्वकाल (prior action)

• प्रियावाक्यम्: pleasing words
• प्रियावाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—प्रिय+वाक्य (कर्मधारय: 'dear/pleasing words'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-एकवचन (Accusative singular)

• रामः: Rama
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन (Nominative singular)

• विस्मितमानसः: astonished-minded
• विस्मितमानसः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्मित (स्मि धातोः क्त) + मानस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—विस्मित+मानस (बहुव्रीहि: 'whose mind is astonished'); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-एकवचन; 'रामः' इत्यस्य विशेषण

Speaker

Narrator (contextual, third-person narrative)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śravaṇa leading to vismaya and reflection; the mind’s openness upon hearing sincere speech.

Vedantic Theme: Manas-prasada enabling right response; attentive listening as a prerequisite for dharmic action.

Application: Listen fully before reacting; let sincere speech reshape assumptions and open space for wiser decisions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: narrative transitions where hearing (śravaṇa) leads to transformation; didactic emphasis on attentive listening

Characters & Entities

• Rama

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the Garuda Purana?

It marks the listener’s receptive state—after hearing agreeable, dharmic counsel, the mind becomes attentive and astonished, preparing for deeper instruction.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it frames the teaching-setting where sacred guidance is heard with faith and wonder—an attitude considered conducive to understanding doctrines about death, rites, and the afterlife.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach spiritual counsel with humility and openness; a calm, receptive mind helps one understand and apply dharma in rituals and daily conduct.