Shloka 58

Sṛṣṭi-krama, Pratibimba-Upādhi, and Viṣṇu as Primary Brahman

with Pralaya and Nāma-Stuti

Devanagari script

स वेदपाठको ज्ञेयस्तदन्ये वेदवादिनः / वेदभारभराक्रान्तः स वै ब्राह्मणगर्दभः

Transliteration

sa vedapāṭhako jñeyastadanye vedavādinaḥ / vedabhārabharākrāntaḥ sa vai brāhmaṇagardabhaḥ

Translation

ସେଇ ନିଜେ ସତ୍ୟ ବେଦ-ପାଠକ; ଅନ୍ୟମାନେ କେବଳ ବେଦ-ବକ୍ତା। ବେଦଭାରରେ ଚାପି ପଡ଼ିଥିବା ସେ ନିଶ୍ଚୟ ‘ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ-ଗର୍ଦ୍ଧଭ’।

Word by Word

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• वेदपाठकः: reciter of the Vedas
• वेदपाठकः: Pradhāna (प्रधान/predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda + pāṭhaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; Compound: वेदानां पाठकः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• ज्ञेयः: is to be known (as)
• ज्ञेयः: Kriyā (क्रिया; predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive/obligatory participle (कृत्य/तव्यत्-भाव, here -य), Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; ‘to be known/considered’

• तदन्ये: others than him/that
• तदन्ये: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad + anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; Compound: तस्मात् अन्ये (तत्पुरुष; ‘other than that’)

• वेदवादिनः: mere talkers of the Veda
• वेदवादिनः: Pradhāna (प्रधान/predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda + vādin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Plural; Compound: वेदं वदन्ति इति (upapada-tatpurusha)

• वेदभारभराक्रान्तः: crushed by the load of Vedic burden
• वेदभारभराक्रान्तः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/modifier of सः/ब्राह्मणगर्दभः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: veda + bhāra + bhara + ākrānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; multi-member compound; ākrānta = ‘overburdened/overwhelmed’ (past passive participle used adjectivally)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात/अव्यय)

• ब्राह्मणगर्दभः: a brahmin-donkey (donkey in brahmin guise)
• ब्राह्मणगर्दभः: Pradhāna (प्रधान/predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brāhmaṇa + gardabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st), Singular; Karmadhāraya: ‘ब्राह्मणः (इव) गर्दभः’ / ‘a brahmin-(like) donkey’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True pāṭhaka is defined by realized understanding; otherwise one merely carries the Veda like a beast of burden.

Vedantic Theme: Shastra as means, not ornament; condemnation of shabda-jada (dead-letter learning) without tattva-bodha and bhakti.

Application: Reduce performative learning; study fewer texts deeply; cultivate transformation (ācāra, devotion, insight) as the measure of learning.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: hasya

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.2.54 (inner distinction of jnani); Garuda Purana 3.2.57 (understanding + recitation)

Characters & Entities

• Brahmana
• Veda

FAQs

What is the importance of true Vedic learning in the Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that genuine Vedic study is not mere verbal display; a true vedapāṭhaka is recognized by real mastery and lived understanding, not by argumentation or show.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it points to dharma as lived practice: spiritual progress depends on internalizing sacred knowledge and aligning conduct with it, not simply carrying scriptural words as a burden.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study sacred texts with comprehension, humility, and ethical discipline; avoid using scripture for status, debate, or performance without corresponding character and practice.