Shloka 76
Mukti-tattva Upadeśa: Knowledge as the Direct Cause of Liberation
अन्यथा परमं तत्त्वं जनाः क्लिश्यन्ति चान्यथा / अन्यथा शास्त्रसद्भावो व्याख्यां कुर्वन्ति चान्यथा
anyathā paramaṃ tattvaṃ janāḥ kliśyanti cānyathā / anyathā śāstrasadbhāvo vyākhyāṃ kurvanti cānyathā
Jika menyimpang, manusia akan salah memahami Hakikat Tertinggi lalu menderita; dan sekali lagi, mereka menyelewengkan maksud sejati śāstra serta mengemukakan tafsiran yang menyimpang.
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Misapprehension of paramatattva and śāstra-sadbhāva leads to kleśa; correct interpretation is essential for liberation-oriented knowledge.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā and viparīta-bhāvanā as sources of kleśa; necessity of sampradāya and śruti-yukti-anubhava harmony.
Application: Study under a competent teacher; test interpretations against core Vedāntic criteria (non-contradiction, transformative power, consistency with śruti); avoid cherry-picking and egoic exegesis.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.49.77 (egoic teachers without instruction); Garuda Purana 2.49.78-79 (recitation without realization; rarity of inner understanding)
FAQs
This verse warns that when the genuine intent of scripture is read “otherwise,” people create distorted explanations, leading to confusion and spiritual harm rather than guidance.
It links suffering (kliśyanti) to misunderstanding the supreme truth (paramaṃ tattvaṃ), implying that wrong views and wrong readings of śāstra keep one bound to distress and error.
Study sacred texts with qualified guidance, check interpretations against core dharmic principles, and avoid cherry-picking verses—so practice aligns with the intended teaching rather than personal bias.