Shloka 51

Vaitaraṇī: Torments of the Sinful, Sins Enumerated, and the Vaitaraṇī Go-dāna Rite

Devanagari script

प्रशशंसुस्तथान्योन्यं सूतं सर्वार्थदर्शिनम् / प्रहर्षमतुलं प्रापुर्मुनयः शौनकादयः

Transliteration

praśaśaṃsustathānyonyaṃ sūtaṃ sarvārthadarśinam / praharṣamatulaṃ prāpurmunayaḥ śaunakādayaḥ

Translation

അപ്പോൾ ശൗനകാദി മുനിമാർ പരസ്പരം പ്രശംസിച്ചു; സർവാർത്ഥദർശിയായ സൂതനെ സ്തുതിച്ച് അതുലാനന്ദം പ്രാപിച്ചു।

Word by Word

• प्रशशंसुः: praised
• प्रशशंसुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शंस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• तथा: thus; in that way
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; manner adverb (प्रकारवाचक)

• अन्योन्यम्: mutually; each other
• अन्योन्यम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्योन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावे अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः; mutuality adverb ‘each other’ (परस्परार्थे)

• सूतम्: Sūta (the narrator)
• सूतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• सर्वार्थ-दर्शिनम्: seer of all meanings; all-knowing
• सर्वार्थ-दर्शिनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + अर्थ + दर्शिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: सर्वेषाम् अर्थानाम् दर्शी

• प्रहर्षम्: joy; exhilaration
• प्रहर्षम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रहर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• अतुलम्: incomparable
• अतुलम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; adjective to प्रहर्षम्

• प्रापुः: attained
• प्रापुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्ष), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; उपसर्ग: प्र-

• मुनयः: sages
• मुनयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन

• शौनक-आदयः: Śaunaka and others
• शौनक-आदयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौनक + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: शौनकः आदिः येषाम् (group headed by Śaunaka)

Speaker

Sūta (narratorial voice describing the sages’ response)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Satsaṅga and honoring the kathā-vaktā (Sūta) as a conduit of meaning yields inner joy and receptivity to dharma.

Vedantic Theme: Śravaṇa in a sanctified assembly as a preparatory limb for purification (citta-śuddhi) and steady contemplation.

Application: Seek uplifting discourse with learned teachers; cultivate gratitude and mutual respect in spiritual communities to deepen absorption in sacred teaching.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: forest āśrama/sacrificial grove

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.47 (context: dialogue setting with Sūta and sages)

Characters & Entities

• Sūta
• Śaunaka

FAQs

What is the importance of praising Sūta in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights reverence for the qualified narrator (Sūta) who conveys the Purāṇic teaching accurately; honoring such transmission is presented as a source of spiritual uplift and joy.

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

Indirectly: it frames the setting where teachings on death, preta-state, and rites are received—showing that attentive listening to correct instruction is part of preparing for right conduct and proper rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Seek authentic teachers/texts, listen with attention, and cultivate respect for sound spiritual instruction—especially when learning about dharma, samskāras, and death-related rites.