Shloka 18
Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life
द्वात्रिंशत्कं लक्षणं ब्रह्मणोपि तद्भारत्याः प्रवदन्त्येव सत्यम् / तथा च शङ्का सममेव चक्रिणेत्येवं सदामा कुरु निर्णयं ब्रुवे
dvātriṃśatkaṃ lakṣaṇaṃ brahmaṇopi tadbhāratyāḥ pravadantyeva satyam / tathā ca śaṅkā samameva cakriṇetyevaṃ sadāmā kuru nirṇayaṃ bruve
Himpunan tiga puluh dua tanda itu juga dinyatakan benar—oleh Brahmā dan oleh Bhāratī (Sarasvatī). Namun demikian, wahai Cakrin, Tuhan pemegang cakra, keraguan masih sama kuat; maka wahai Sadāmā, buatlah keputusan yang jelas—aku akan menyatakannya.
Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu (Cakrin)
Concept: Even with high authority, doubt can remain; clarity requires nirṇaya (discernment) and proper pramāṇa-handling.
Vedantic Theme: Sandeha-nivṛtti through viveka and śāstra-pramāṇa; movement from testimony to settled knowledge.
Application: When faced with conflicting claims, seek clear criteria and definitions; distinguish enumeration from essence; apply disciplined inquiry before concluding.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.22 (transition from enumeration to resolving doubt about marks/criteria)
FAQs
This verse treats the “thirty-two marks” as an authoritative, truth-declared standard—endorsed by Brahmā and Sarasvatī—yet emphasizes that right understanding requires removing doubt through a clear conclusion (nirṇaya).
Rather than describing post-death travel directly, it highlights a key method of spiritual discernment: even when scripture and divine authorities affirm a doctrine, one should resolve lingering uncertainty through careful determination and clarified teaching.
When facing competing interpretations of dharma or ritual practice, rely on trusted scriptural sources and competent guidance, but also seek a reasoned, settled conclusion—reducing doubt before acting.