Shloka 40

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

प्रदक्षिणं दुर्लभं वै मुरारेर्नमस्कारो दुर्लभो वै कलौ च / तद्भक्तानां पालनं दुर्लभं च सद्वैष्णवानां दुर्लभं ह्यन्नदानम्

Transliteration

pradakṣiṇaṃ durlabhaṃ vai murārernamaskāro durlabho vai kalau ca / tadbhaktānāṃ pālanaṃ durlabhaṃ ca sadvaiṣṇavānāṃ durlabhaṃ hyannadānam

Translation

Dalam zaman Kali, amat jarang melakukan pradakṣiṇā (mengelilingi dengan hormat) bagi Murāri (Viṣṇu), dan jarang juga sujud sembah yang tulus. Jarang pula melindungi serta memelihara para bhakta-Nya; dan di kalangan Vaiṣṇava sejati, annadāna (sedekah makanan) juga jarang ditemui.

Word by Word

• pradakṣiṇam: circumambulation
• pradakṣiṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradakṣiṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabham: rare
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with pradakṣiṇam

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चयार्थक अव्यय)

• murāreḥ: of Murāri (Kṛṣṇa/Viṣṇu)
• murāreḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: murāri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• namaskāraḥ: salutation
• namaskāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: namaskāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabhaḥ: rare
• durlabhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with namaskāraḥ

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चयार्थक अव्यय)

• kalau: in Kali (age)
• kalau: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

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

• tad-bhaktānām: of his devotees
• tad-bhaktānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad + bhakta (√bhaj, क्त; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural; 'of his devotees'

• pālanam: protection/care
• pālanam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pālana (प्रातिपदिक; √pāl)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• durlabham: rare
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with pālanam

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

• sat-vaiṣṇavānām: of true Vaiṣṇavas
• sat-vaiṣṇavānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat + vaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठī), Plural; sat-vaiṣṇava = 'true/good Vaiṣṇavas'

• durlabham: rare
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; agrees with annadānam

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (खलु/हेतु-अर्थे अव्यय)

• anna-dānam: food-giving/feeding (charity)
• anna-dānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; 'giving of food'

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In Kali-yuga, even basic devotional acts and especially bhakta-sevā (protection/care) and annadāna among Vaiṣṇavas are rare; therefore they are to be consciously cultivated.

Vedantic Theme: bhakti expressed as sevā; honoring devotees as honoring the Lord (bhakta-vātsalya).

Application: Practice daily namaskāra and pradakṣiṇā (physically or mentally); actively support devotees (care, protection); prioritize feeding others as a devotional offering.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: loka/temple-space (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19.41-42 (nāma-graha, worship of Vaiṣṇavas, śālagrāma, sadguru)

Characters & Entities

• Murari (Vishnu)
• Vaiṣṇavas
• Devotees (bhaktas)
• Kali Yuga

FAQs

What is the importance of annadāna in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights annadāna as a rare but highly valued dharmic act—especially when offered in the spirit of genuine Vaiṣṇava conduct—because it directly sustains life and supports devotion.

How does this verse reflect Kali Yuga according to the Garuda Purana?

It portrays Kali Yuga as a time when even basic devotional acts—pradakṣiṇa and namaskāra to Viṣṇu—become uncommon, and when service to devotees (their care and protection) also declines.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain simple daily devotion (bowing and remembrance of Viṣṇu), actively support sincere devotees and spiritual communities, and practice annadāna—feeding the hungry or offering food as sacred charity.