Shloka 1

Ajāna Lineages, Divine Classes, Ṛṣi Catalogues, and the Merit of Śravaṇa-Smaraṇa

Devanagari script

अजानजस्वरूपं च ब्रूहि कृष्ण महामते / तदन्यांश्च क्रमेणेव वक्तुं कृष्ण त्वमर्हसि

Transliteration

ajānajasvarūpaṃ ca brūhi kṛṣṇa mahāmate / tadanyāṃśca krameṇeva vaktuṃ kṛṣṇa tvamarhasi

Translation

हे कृष्ण, महामते! अजान (अजन्मा) याचे स्वरूप सांगावे; आणि नंतर क्रमाने इतरही विषय तू वर्णन करणे योग्य आहे, हे कृष्ण।

Word by Word

• ajānaja-svarūpam: the nature/form of Ajānaja
• ajānaja-svarūpam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajānaja (प्रातिपदिक) + svarūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (ajānajasya svarūpam)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• brūhi: tell
• brūhi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• kṛṣṇa: O Kṛṣṇa
• kṛṣṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• mahā-mate: O great-minded one
• mahā-mate: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + mati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय

• tad-anyān: the other ones (related to that)
• tad-anyān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (tasya anyān)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• krameṇa: in order / sequentially
• krameṇa: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: krama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थे (instrumental used adverbially: क्रमशः)

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

• vaktum: to speak / to explain
• vaktum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive)

• kṛṣṇa: O Kṛṣṇa
• kṛṣṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• arhasi: are worthy / should
• arhasi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: arh (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu as Kṛṣṇa

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Right inquiry: requesting a sequential exposition of ontological categories, beginning with the ‘Unborn’ (Ajā/aja).

Vedantic Theme: Tattva-jijñāsā and the method of śravaṇa—approaching a competent teacher and asking structured questions.

Application: When studying scripture/metaphysics, ask for definitions first, then proceed stepwise; keep a ‘category map’ (names, functions, relations).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.9 (Ajāna/Ajā-related taxonomy continuing in subsequent verses)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa (Vishnu)
• Ajānaja (Brahmā)

FAQs

What is the importance of understanding Ajānaja (the Unborn) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse shows Garuḍa requesting a clear account of Brahmā’s essential nature, indicating that correct theological understanding begins with knowing the origin-principle and the ordered structure of creation.

How does this verse frame the teaching style of the Garuda Purana?

It emphasizes an orderly, step-by-step exposition: Garuḍa asks Viṣṇu to explain first the Unborn (Brahmā) and then the remaining topics in sequence, reflecting the Purāṇic method of systematic instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach spiritual study methodically—learn foundational principles first, then proceed stepwise—so beliefs, rituals, and ethics rest on coherent understanding rather than scattered information.