Shloka 65

Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority

Devanagari script

वेदैस्तुल्य सम पाठे श्रवणे च तदर्धकम् / अर्थतः श्रवणे चास्य पुण्यं दशगुणं स्मृतम्

Transliteration

vedaistulya sama pāṭhe śravaṇe ca tadardhakam / arthataḥ śravaṇe cāsya puṇyaṃ daśaguṇaṃ smṛtam

Translation

सम्यक् व समपाठाने याचे पुण्य वेदतुल्य सांगितले आहे; केवळ श्रवण केल्यास त्याचे अर्धे फल मिळते. परंतु अर्थ समजून श्रवण केल्यास दहापट पुण्य स्मरण केले आहे.

Word by Word

• vedaiḥ: with/by the Vedas
• vedaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural; standard of comparison/association

• tulyam: equal
• tulyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tulya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective ‘equal’

• samam: equally
• samam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; adverbial/predicate use ‘equally’

• pāṭhe: in recitation
• pāṭhe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; context ‘in recitation/reading’

• śravaṇe: in hearing
• śravaṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; context ‘in hearing’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• tat-ardhakam: half of that
• tat-ardhakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tat (प्रातिपदिक) + ardhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; ‘half of that’ (elliptic: fruit/merit)

• arthataḥ: as to the meaning
• arthataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: arthatas (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) meaning ‘as to meaning/in sense’

• śravaṇe: in hearing
• śravaṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• asya: of this
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter/Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; ‘of this (text)’

• puṇyam: merit
• puṇyam: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; subject/object in predication

• daśa-guṇam: tenfold
• daśa-guṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: daśa (प्रातिपदिक) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; numerical compound meaning ‘tenfold’

• smṛtam: is held to be
• smṛtam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √smṛ (स्मृ धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; ‘is considered’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Śravaṇa gains greater fruit when joined with artha-bodha; mere sound is less than understood meaning.

Vedantic Theme: Śravaṇa–manana orientation: knowledge-bearing hearing is superior to mechanical recitation; emphasis on meaning as the carrier of dharma/jñāna.

Application: Study with comprehension: listen/read with commentary, ask questions, reflect on meaning; prioritize understanding over rote performance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (general): praise of śravaṇa, kīrtana, and Viṣṇu-smṛti as merit-multipliers (common motif across Uttara-khaṇḍa/ācāra sections).

Characters & Entities

• Vedas

FAQs

What is the importance of hearing with meaning (arthataḥ śravaṇa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that hearing with understanding multiplies spiritual merit tenfold, emphasizing comprehension over mere ritual listening.

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

By prioritizing meaningful listening and correct recitation, it points to inner assimilation of dharma as the basis for purifying karma—an essential support for the soul’s onward journey described elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When listening to or reciting scripture (including death-ritual readings), add a brief explanation or study of the meaning; the text values informed śravaṇa as spiritually more transformative than passive hearing.