Shloka 5
Bhīma-Dvādaśī (Ekādaśī) Māhātmya and Varāha-Pūjā Vidhi
अज्ञानेन यथा ज्ञानं शौचमाशौचकं यथा / अश्रद्धया यथा श्रद्धा सत्यञ्चैवानृतैर्यथा
ajñānena yathā jñānaṃ śaucamāśaucakaṃ yathā / aśraddhayā yathā śraddhā satyañcaivānṛtairyathā
Assim como o conhecimento é arruinado pela ignorância e a pureza é manchada pela impureza; assim como a fé é destruída pela falta de fé; do mesmo modo, a verdade é minada pela falsidade.
Lord Viṣṇu (in instruction to Garuḍa)
Concept: Opposites negate: ignorance erodes knowledge; impurity taints purity; distrust destroys faith; falsehood undermines truth—guard the foundations of spiritual life.
Vedantic Theme: Avidyā as the obscurer of jñāna; satya-śauca-śraddhā as supports for sādhana and clarity of buddhi.
Application: Maintain study and reflection to counter ignorance; uphold cleanliness and ethical purity; cultivate śraddhā through satsanga; practice truthfulness in speech and record-keeping.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated emphasis on satya, śauca, and śraddhā as prerequisites for rites and for favorable post-mortem outcomes
FAQs
This verse stresses that purity is easily compromised by impurity (āśauca), implying that dharmic life and ritual efficacy depend on guarding cleanliness and avoiding defilement in conduct and observance.
By linking ignorance, impurity, faithlessness, and falsehood to the collapse of knowledge and truth, it highlights the inner moral foundations that shape one’s karmic trajectory—key prerequisites for a steady spiritual path.
Cultivate truthful speech, informed understanding, basic purity in habits, and steady śraddhā; avoid mixing spiritual practice with negligence, cynicism, or dishonesty that erodes its results.