Shloka 50

Vishnu-sahasranāma-style Japa: Vishnu as Cosmic Cause and Inner Self

Antaryāmin

Devanagari script

कारणं चैतसश्चैव(३००)अहङ्कारस्य कारणम् / भूतानां कारणं तद्वत्कारणं च विभावसोः

Transliteration

kāraṇaṃ caitasaścaiva(300)ahaṅkārasya kāraṇam / bhūtānāṃ kāraṇaṃ tadvatkāraṇaṃ ca vibhāvasoḥ

Translation

कारणं चैतसश्चैव अहङ्कारस्य कारणम्। भूतानां कारणं तद्वत्कारणं च विभावसोः॥

Word by Word

• कारणम्: cause
• कारणम्: Pradhana-predication (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• चैतसस्य: of the mental (principle)
• चैतसस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चैतस (प्रातिपदिक; चेतस्-सम्बन्धी)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (सन्दर्भे), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th case), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारण-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• अहङ्कारस्य: of ego (ahaṅkāra)
• अहङ्कारस्य: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहङ्कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th case), एकवचन

• कारणम्: cause
• कारणम्: Pradhana-predication (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• भूतानाम्: of beings/elements
• भूतानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th case), बहुवचन

• कारणम्: cause
• कारणम्: Pradhana-predication (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Sambandha (Adverbial/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘in that manner’)

• कारणम्: cause
• कारणम्: Pradhana-predication (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• विभावसोः: of Vibhāvasu (fire)
• विभावसोः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विभावसु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th case), एकवचन (विभावसोः इति वैदिक/छान्दस-रूपं; सामान्ये विभावसोः=विभावसोः/विभावसोः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Causal succession among inner instruments and elements: manas/mental principle relates to ahaṅkāra; ahaṅkāra conditions bhūtas and tejas (fire).

Vedantic Theme: Understanding upādhis (limiting adjuncts) and their evolutes to transcend identification; prakṛti’s evolutes are not the Self.

Application: Observe ego (ahaṅkāra) as a constructed function arising with mental activity; reduce ego-reactivity to lessen ‘fire’ (tejas) of anger/impulse.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: descriptions of ahaṅkāra and bhūta-utpatti in cosmology sections

Characters & Entities

• Ahaṅkāra
• Bhūtas
• Vibhāvas (Agni/Fire)
• Caitasa (Mind principle)

FAQs

What is the importance of mind and ahaṅkāra in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents a causal chain where the mental principle gives rise to egoity (ahaṅkāra), which then becomes the basis for the manifestation of the elements—showing how inner principles precede outer creation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing mind and ego as primary causes, it implies that the jīva’s experience (bondage and movement through states) is driven by subtle principles—mind and I-sense—which shape embodiment and perception.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reduce ego-driven reactions through self-inquiry and disciplined conduct; mastering mind and the I-sense is presented as foundational for clarity, ethical living, and spiritual progress.