Shloka 55

Manvantara Catalog: Fourteen Manus, Their Sons, Saptarishis, Indras, Deva-Hosts, and the 18 Vidyās

Devanagari script

सुनेत्रः क्षेत्रवृत्तिश्च सुनयो धर्मपो दृढः / धृतिमानव्ययश्चैव निशारूपो निरुत्सुकः

Transliteration

sunetraḥ kṣetravṛttiśca sunayo dharmapo dṛḍhaḥ / dhṛtimānavyayaścaiva niśārūpo nirutsukaḥ

Translation

सुनेत्रः क्षेत्रवृत्तिश्च सुनयो धर्मपो दृढः । धृतिमानव्ययश्चैव निशारूपो निरुत्सुकः ॥

Word by Word

सुनेत्रःSunetra (good-eyed; a name)

क्षेत्रवृत्तिःKṣetravṛtti (one whose conduct is in the field; a name)

चand

सुनयःSunaya (good conduct; a name)

धर्मपःDharmapa (protector/imbiber of dharma; a name)

दृढःDṛḍha (firm; a name)

धृतिमान्Dhṛtimān (possessing fortitude; a name)

अव्ययःAvyaya (imperishable; a name)

चand

एवindeed/also

निशारूपःNiśārūpa (night-formed; a name)

निरुत्सुकःNirutsuka (unconcerned; a name)

Speaker

Lord Viṣṇu (speaking to Garuḍa / Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ideal ruler/guardian type: clear-sighted, rooted in one’s station, firm protector of dharma, inwardly steady and free from craving.

Vedantic Theme: Vairāgya (nirutsukatā) and dhṛti (steadfast mind) as supports for sattva and right action; karma-yoga spirit—acting without agitation.

Application: Cultivate steadiness under pressure, protect ethical norms, and reduce craving-driven reactivity; practice ‘night-formed’ discretion—quietly doing right without display.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana virtue-catalog style passages describing exemplary sons/kings

FAQs

What is the importance of dharma-protection (dharmapa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that true righteousness is not passive: a virtuous person is steady, disciplined, and actively safeguards dharma through conduct aligned with one’s rightful duties.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

By stressing steadiness, self-restraint, and unwavering conduct, it points to the inner qualities that support spiritual progress and reduce binding desire—key prerequisites for a favorable post-death journey described elsewhere in the text.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate clear judgment, do your rightful work ethically, remain firm under pressure, and act without restless craving—these traits stabilize character and support dharmic decision-making.