Shloka 15

Dharma-sāra: Dāna-mahātmyam, Karma-vāda, and the Conquest of Grief and Greed

Devanagari script

सर्वसत्त्वदयालुत्वं सर्वेन्द्रियविनिग्रहः / सर्वत्रानित्यबुद्धित्वं श्रेयः परमिदं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

sarvasattvadayālutvaṃ sarvendriyavinigrahaḥ / sarvatrānityabuddhitvaṃ śreyaḥ paramidaṃ smṛtam

Translation

सर्व सत्त्वांवर दयाळूपणा, सर्व इंद्रियांचा निग्रह, आणि सर्वत्र अनित्यतेची बुद्धी—हेच परम श्रेय मानले आहे।

Word by Word

• सर्वसत्त्वदयालुत्वम्: compassion toward all beings
• सर्वसत्त्वदयालुत्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + दयालु (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (तद्धित/भावप्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (सर्वेषु सत्त्वेषु दयालुत्वम्)

• सर्वेन्द्रियविनिग्रहः: restraint of all the senses
• सर्वेन्द्रियविनिग्रहः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक) + विनिग्रह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषाम् इन्द्रियाणां विनिग्रहः)

• सर्वत्र: everywhere, in all situations
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सर्व-प्रत्ययान्त-देशवाचक (adverb: everywhere)

• अनित्यबुद्धित्वम्: the conviction that (things are) impermanent
• अनित्यबुद्धित्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + बुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक) + त्व (भावप्रत्यय)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अनित्या इति बुद्धिः यस्य/यत्र; अनित्यत्व-बुद्धिः)

• श्रेयः: the highest good
• श्रेयः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (श्रेयः)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; निर्देशार्थक-सर्वनाम

• स्मृतम्: is declared/remembered
• स्मृतम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्मृत (कृदन्त; √स्मृ स्मरणे, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगे भूतकृदन्तः (it is said/remembered)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, in the didactic discourse of the Garuda Purana)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śreyas consists of (1) compassion to all beings, (2) restraint of senses, and (3) constant discernment of impermanence.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka-vairagya and antahkarana-shuddhi as proximate means to liberation; compassion as sattvic expansion reducing ahamkara.

Application: Practice ahimsa and kindness; adopt sense-discipline (diet, speech, media); contemplate anitya daily (journaling, meditation on change) to reduce clinging.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma-moksha teachings: ahimsa/daya, indriya-nigraha, and anitya as repeated pillars of śreyas

Characters & Entities

• All beings (sarva-sattva)

FAQs

What is the importance of śreyas (the highest good) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines śreyas as a lived discipline—universal compassion, mastery over the senses, and steady insight into impermanence—showing that liberation-oriented welfare is rooted in ethical conduct and inner restraint.

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

By emphasizing compassion, sense-control, and awareness of impermanence, the verse points to purification of mind and karma—qualities that support a favorable post-death trajectory and reduce binding attachments that trouble the soul after death.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice non-harm and kindness toward all beings, adopt daily sense-discipline (food, speech, habits), and remember the temporary nature of possessions and status to make calmer, more dharmic choices.