Shloka 52

Sṛṣṭi-krama: Brahmā’s Sequential Creation of Devas, Sages, and Sense-Presiding Powers

Devanagari script

पर्जन्यानन्तरं ब्रह्मा दशवर्षादनन्तरम् / पुष्करं जनयामास कर्मतत्त्वाभिमानिनम्

Transliteration

parjanyānantaraṃ brahmā daśavarṣādanantaram / puṣkaraṃ janayāmāsa karmatattvābhimāninam

Translation

पर्जन्यानन्तरं ब्रह्मा दशवर्षानन्तरम्। पुष्करं जनयामास कर्मतत्त्वाभिमानिनम्॥

Word by Word

• पर्जन्य-अनन्तरम्: after Parjanya
• पर्जन्य-अनन्तरम्: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative sense)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पर्जन्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास; अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (adverbial), अर्थः—‘पर्जन्यस्य अनन्तरम्’ = after Parjanya

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन्/ब्रह्मा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• दश-वर्षात्: after ten years / from ten years
• दश-वर्षात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Ablative source-point)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दश (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (संख्यापूर्वक); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; ‘दशवर्षात्’ = from (after) ten years

• अनन्तरम्: thereafter
• अनन्तरम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), अर्थः—afterwards/thereafter

• पुष्करम्: Puṣkara
• पुष्करम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• जनयामास: generated / produced
• जनयामास: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद; causative sense in usage ‘caused to be born/produced’

• कर्म-तत्त्व-अभिमानिनम्: identifying with the principle of action
• कर्म-तत्त्व-अभिमानिनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिमानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध-प्रधानः): ‘कर्मतत्त्वे अभिमानी’ (one who identifies with the principle of action); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् ‘पुष्करम्’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Karma-tattva as a governing principle can be personified; identification (abhimāna) with karma-principle indicates structured causality in creation.

Vedantic Theme: Karma as part of māyā’s order (niyati) binding jīvas; discernment of tattva aids dispassion and right action.

Application: Study cause-and-effect in one’s habits; align actions with dharma, and reduce binding identification with doership.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: allusive-tirtha-name / cosmic principle-personification

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.13.48-51 (sequence leading to karma-related manifestations)

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Parjanya
• Pushkara

FAQs

What is the importance of karma-tattva in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames karma as a fundamental governing principle (tattva) of the cosmos, personified through Puṣkara, emphasizing that moral causality is built into creation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By highlighting karma-tattva as a created/established principle, it implies that the soul’s post-death journey and outcomes are regulated by karma’s law, which later sections connect to afterlife destinations and consequences.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat actions as consequential: cultivate dharmic conduct, mindful choices, and ethical responsibility, since karma is presented as an objective principle shaping future experience.