Shloka 5

Brahma-vidyā through Yoga: Restraint, Pranava Japa, and Samādhi leading to Mokṣa

Devanagari script

आरूढयोगवृक्षाणां ज्ञानं त्यागं परं मतम् / ज्ञातुमिच्छति शब्दादीन्रागो द्वेषो ऽथ जायते

Transliteration

ārūḍhayogavṛkṣāṇāṃ jñānaṃ tyāgaṃ paraṃ matam / jñātumicchati śabdādīnrāgo dveṣo 'tha jāyate

Translation

आरूढयोगवृक्षाणां परं मतं ज्ञानं त्यागश्च; शब्दादीन् विषयान् ज्ञातुमिच्छतः रागद्वेषौ तदा जायते।

Word by Word

• ārūḍha-yoga-vṛkṣāṇām: of those who have ascended the tree of yoga
• ārūḍha-yoga-vṛkṣāṇām: Shashthi-Sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ārūḍha (कृदन्त) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक) + vṛkṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (योगवृक्षेषु आरूढाः—of those who have climbed the yoga-tree)

• jñānam: knowledge
• jñānam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tyāgam: renunciation
• tyāgam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tyāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• param: supreme
• param: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘supreme’ (qualifies matam)

• matam: is considered (the doctrine)
• matam: Kriyā (Predicate nominal/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mata (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘मत’ = opinion/doctrine; (PPP of √man ‘to think’)

• jñātum: to know
• jñātum: Prayojana (Purpose/प्रयोजन)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (धातु)
• Form: तुमुनन्त (infinitive), अर्थः—‘to know’

• icchati: desires
• icchati: Kriyā (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √iṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष? actually 3rd person, एकवचन; ‘he/she desires’

• śabdādīn: sounds and the like
• śabdādīn: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (शब्द-आदि = sound etc.)

• rāgaḥ: attachment
• rāgaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• dveṣaḥ: aversion
• dveṣaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dveṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• atha: then
• atha: Discourse marker (Nipāta/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/समुच्चय (particle) — then/thereupon

• jāyate: arises
• jāyate: Kriyā (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jan (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; अर्थः—‘is born/arises’

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: For the advanced yogin, the pinnacle is knowledge and renunciation; fixation on sense-objects (śabda-ādi) breeds attachment and aversion.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-viṣaya-saṅga as the seed of rāga-dveṣa; viveka-vairāgya as prerequisites for jñāna-niṣṭhā and liberation.

Application: Practice pratyāhāra and mindful restraint: notice the moment ‘knowing’ becomes grasping; redirect attention to the witness (sākṣin) and to devotional remembrance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated warnings that sense-indulgence binds the jīva and leads to lower destinies; Garuda Purana: praise of tyāga and jñāna as liberative when supported by discipline

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of knowledge (jñāna) and renunciation (tyāga) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that for an advanced seeker established on the yogic path, the highest standpoint is jñāna joined with tyāga—inner clarity plus letting go—rather than mere engagement with sensory experience.

How does this verse explain the cause of attachment and aversion?

It links rāga and dveṣa to turning the mind toward sense-objects—starting with sound—so that even the wish to ‘know’ them as objects of enjoyment can generate binding likes and dislikes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice mindful restraint of the senses (especially speech, media, and sound), observe cravings and irritations as they arise, and strengthen daily disciplines that support detachment—study, meditation, and ethical living.