Shloka 45

Kāraṇānvēṣaṇam: The 32 Marks of Hari, Defects (Doṣas), Death-Omens, and Hari’s Omnipresence in Social & Household Life

Devanagari script

द्वात्रिंशल्लक्षणं विष्णोर्ब्रह्माद्यापेक्षयैव तत् / सहाभिप्राय गर्भेण ब्रह्मणोक्तं तव प्रभो

Transliteration

dvātriṃśallakṣaṇaṃ viṣṇorbrahmādyāpekṣayaiva tat / sahābhiprāya garbheṇa brahmaṇoktaṃ tava prabho

Translation

Тридцать два признака Вишну поистине постигаются лишь в соотнесении с Брахмой и прочими божествами. О Владыка, Брахма возвестил это Тебе, заключив в словах сокровенный, намеренный смысл.

Word by Word

• द्वात्रिंशत्-लक्षणम्: the thirty-two marks
• द्वात्रिंशत्-लक्षणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वात्रिंशत् + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Case 1/2), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (संख्यापूर्वक)

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Case 6), एकवचन

• ब्रह्म-आदि: by/with Brahmā and others (as reference)
• ब्रह्म-आदि: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Case 3), बहुवचन (ब्रह्मादिभिः इत्यर्थे); तत्पुरुष-समास (ब्रह्मन् + आदि = ‘Brahmā and others’)

• अपेक्षया: in comparison/with regard
• अपेक्षया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपेक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Case 3), एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/वाक्यसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Case 1/2), एकवचन

• सह: together with
• सह: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उपसर्गसदृश/सहयोगार्थक (with)

• अभिप्राय: with intention/purport
• अभिप्राय: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभि + प्राय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Case 3), एकवचन (अभिप्रायेण इत्यर्थे; पदच्छेद-लेखनभेद)

• गर्भेण: with the inner sense/implicit meaning
• गर्भेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Case 3), एकवचन

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Case 3), एकवचन

• उक्तम्: said/declared
• उक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धातु √वच् (कृदन्त: क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), क्त-प्रत्यय; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तव: of you/for you
• तव: Shashthi-Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; षष्ठी (Case 6), एकवचन

• प्रभो: O lord
• प्रभो: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator (Purana dialogue frame; verse refers to Brahma's statement addressed to the Lord)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lakṣaṇa-knowledge is relational and interpretive; Viṣṇu’s 32 marks are grasped through comparative reference to other deities and through implied intention (abhiprāya).

Vedantic Theme: Tattva-viveka and upalakṣaṇa: the Absolute indicated through attributes and comparative pedagogy; harmonizing devatā descriptions without compromising Viṣṇu’s supremacy.

Application: Read scriptural descriptions with attention to context, implied meaning, and comparative language; avoid literalistic conflict by seeking the intended purport (tātparya).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (likely Preta/Ācāra sections): passages on Viṣṇu-nāma, Viṣṇu-dhyāna, and lakṣaṇa-stuti where attributes are taught with tātparya; Adjacent verses 3.22.46–47 on resolving apparent contradiction via linguistic combination

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma

FAQs

What is the importance of the “thirty-two characteristics of Vishnu” in Garuda Purana?

This verse frames the 32 marks as a theological standard for recognizing Viṣṇu’s supreme attributes, understood by comparison with Brahmā and other gods, and taught with an intended inner purport.

How does this verse explain the role of Brahma in transmitting knowledge?

It indicates Brahmā as a declarer of doctrine: he states Viṣṇu’s characteristics in a way that carries an embedded intention (abhiprāya), implying layered meaning rather than mere description.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred descriptions of the divine as teachings with inner intent—study them contextually, compare meanings across scriptures, and focus on the ethical and devotional transformation they are meant to inspire.