Shloka 38

Gāruḍa-Māhātmya and Tārkṣya-Stotra: Fruits of Hearing/Reciting and the Power of Garuḍa’s Praise

Devanagari script

विद्यार्थो लभते विद्यां जयार्थो लभते जयम् / ब्रह्महत्यादिना पापी पापशुद्धिमवाप्नुयात्

Transliteration

vidyārtho labhate vidyāṃ jayārtho labhate jayam / brahmahatyādinā pāpī pāpaśuddhimavāpnuyāt

Translation

Sesiapa yang menuntut ilmu akan memperoleh ilmu; sesiapa yang menuntut kemenangan akan memperoleh kemenangan. Bahkan si pendosa yang ternoda oleh dosa besar seperti brahma-hatyā (membunuh seorang brāhmaṇa) pun dapat meraih penyucian daripada dosa.

Word by Word

• विद्यार्थः: one who seeks knowledge
• विद्यार्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विद्यायाः अर्थः = विद्या-प्राप्त्यर्थी)

• लभते: obtains
• लभते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• विद्याम्: knowledge
• विद्याम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• जयार्थः: one who seeks victory
• जयार्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जयस्य अर्थः = जय-प्राप्त्यर्थी)

• लभते: obtains
• लभते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• जयम्: victory
• जयम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• ब्रह्महत्यादिना: by (sins) such as brahma-hatya
• ब्रह्महत्यादिना: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्महत्या (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (ब्रह्महत्या-आदि = ब्रह्महत्यादि-पापैः)

• पापी: a sinner
• पापी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पापिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पापशुद्धिम्: purification from sin
• पापशुद्धिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + शुद्धि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पापस्य शुद्धिः)

• अवाप्नुयात्: may attain
• अवाप्नुयात्: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + आप् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sincere pursuit and prescribed sacred means yield corresponding results; even mahāpātaka can be cleansed through efficacious dharmic/Mantraic recourse.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-kṣaya and citta-śuddhi as prerequisites for jñāna; pāpa is removable through prāyaścitta and devotion-centered means.

Application: Undertake disciplined recitation/rite with clear intention; pair with repentance, ethical restraint, and remedial observances when burdened by wrongdoing.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.240.39-42 (phala-śruti sequence of benefits)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmahatya (sin of slaying a Brahmin)

FAQs

What is the importance of intention (desire/saṅkalpa) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse emphasizes that the fruit follows the seeker’s aim: sincere pursuit of knowledge yields knowledge, pursuit of victory yields victory—showing that intention directs spiritual and worldly outcomes.

How does this verse explain relief from sins like brahmahatyā?

It states that even grave sinners can reach pāpa-śuddhi (purification), implying that prescribed dharmic means—such as expiation, devotion, and corrective conduct taught in the Purana—can cleanse severe karmic stains.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate clear, ethical intention in study and action, and when wrongdoing occurs, seek sincere reform—confession, restitution, disciplined conduct, and devotional practice—aimed at genuine purification rather than mere appearance.