Shloka 7

Jīva-yonis (84 Lakhs), Rarity of Human Birth, Sense-Restraint, Craving, and Śraddhā-based Dharma

Devanagari script

म्लेच्छतुम्बविभेदेन जातिभेदास्त्वनेकशः / जन्तूनामेव सर्वेषां जातिभेदाः सहस्रशः

Transliteration

mlecchatumbavibhedena jātibhedāstvanekaśaḥ / jantūnāmeva sarveṣāṃ jātibhedāḥ sahasraśaḥ

Translation

മ്ലേച്ഛരും വിവിധ കൂട്ടങ്ങളുമുള്ള വിഭേദം മൂലം ജാതിഭേദങ്ങൾ അനേകം ആകുന്നു; സത്യത്തിൽ എല്ലാ ജീവികളുടെയും ജന്മഭേദങ്ങൾ ആയിരക്കണക്കിനാണ്।

Word by Word

• mlecchatumbavibhedena: by the division into mleccha and tumba (groups)
• mlecchatumbavibhedena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mleccha (प्रातिपदिक) + tumba (प्रातिपदिक) + vibheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: म्लेच्छ-तुम्ब-विभेद = ‘difference/division of mleccha and tumba (groups)’; करण (instrumental: by/through)

• jātibhedāḥ: caste/species distinctions
• jātibhedāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāti (प्रातिपदिक) + bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: जातीनां भेदाः

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेषार्थ (particle)

• anekaśaḥ: in many ways; manifold
• anekaśaḥ: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anekaśas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/बहुत्वार्थ (adverb: in many ways/manyfold)

• jantūnām: of living beings
• jantūnām: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jantu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थ

• sarveṣām: of all
• sarveṣām: Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• jātibhedāḥ: caste/species distinctions
• jātibhedāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāti (प्रातिपदिक) + bheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

• sahasraśaḥ: by the thousands; innumerably
• sahasraśaḥ: Kriya-visheshana (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasraśas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; बहुत्वार्थ (adverb: by thousands; innumerably)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Jāti-bheda is manifold—among mlecchas/tribes and across all beings—implying the vast complexity of saṃsāra.

Vedantic Theme: Nāma-rūpa plurality: countless forms and labels overlay the one reality; encourages viveka and non-attachment to identity.

Application: Hold identities lightly: cultivate respect across cultures and species, and prioritize ethical qualities and spiritual practice over group pride.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana discussions on yoni-bheda and human rarity in the same run of verses

Characters & Entities

• Mlecchas
• Jantus (living beings)

FAQs

What is the importance of jāti-bheda (varieties of birth) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that distinctions of birth are vast—extending across human groups and all creatures—supporting the Purana’s broader teaching that embodied life takes many forms according to cosmic order and karmic conditions.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

By highlighting thousands of possible births among all beings, it frames rebirth as a wide spectrum of embodiments—an underlying premise for the Preta Kanda’s discussions on karma, post-death states, and future destinies.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Recognize the vast diversity of life as part of dharma: cultivate humility, reduce prejudice, and act ethically, remembering that actions influence future conditions of embodiment.