Shloka 29

Paramparā (Transmission), Rudra’s Viṣṇu-Dhyāna, and the Garuḍa Purāṇa’s Origin-Impulse

Devanagari script

वंशानुचरितं यस्मात्तं देवं चिन्तयाम्यहम् / यं ध्यायाम्यहमेतस्मादूजामः सारमीक्षितुम्

Transliteration

vaṃśānucaritaṃ yasmāttaṃ devaṃ cintayāmyaham / yaṃ dhyāyāmyahametasmādūjāmaḥ sāramīkṣitum

Translation

वंशानुचरितं यस्मात्तं देवं चिन्तयाम्यहम्। यं ध्यायाम्यहमेतस्मादूजामः सारमीक्षितुम्॥

Word by Word

• वंशानुचरितम्: genealogical account, lineage-history
• वंशानुचरितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वंश (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुचरित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—वंशस्य अनुचरितम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• यस्मात्: from whom/wherefrom
• यस्मात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक-सर्वनाम

• तम्: that (him)
• तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• देवम्: god
• देवम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• चिन्तयामि: I contemplate
• चिन्तयामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्त् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यम्: whom
• यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धवाचक-सर्वनाम

• ध्यायामि: I meditate upon
• ध्यायामि: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एतस्मात्: from this (cause)
• एतस्मात्: Apadana (Source/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ऊजामः: we strive, we exert
• ऊजामः: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ऊज्/ऊर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), उत्तम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; √ऊर्ज्/ऊज् (बल/प्रयत्न)

• सारम्: essence
• सारम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ईक्षितुम्: to see, to behold
• ईक्षितुम्: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईक्ष् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (infinitive); √ईक्ष्

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu in reverential narration

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Beyond genealogical detail lies ‘sāra’—the essential truth discerned through meditation on the Supreme.

Vedantic Theme: Viveka between nama-rupa narratives and tattva; turning from history to essence (sāra) as a step toward liberation.

Application: In study and life, extract principles from stories: ask ‘what is the sāra?’; maintain a meditation anchor (Vishnu/Ishvara) while engaging with tradition.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.2.28-29 (purana-lakshana and transition to essence)

Characters & Entities

• Deva (the Supreme Lord)

FAQs

What is the importance of seeking the 'sāra' (essence) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Purana study as more than storytelling—one should proceed toward the core teaching by contemplating the Divine source of the narrative.

How does this verse connect meditation (dhyāna) with understanding scripture?

It states that by meditating on the Lord—who is the origin behind genealogies and narration—one becomes fit to “see” the essential meaning rather than only the outer account.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred texts with reverence and reflection: read, then pause for dhyāna on the Divine, and extract one actionable ethical insight (dharma) as the ‘sāra’ for daily life.