Shloka 61

Sat-saṅga, Dharma-Nīti, Karma-Phala, Śauca, and Vairāgya

Overcoming Grief

Devanagari script

सर्वं परवशं दुः खं सर्व मात्मवशं सुखम् / एतद्विद्यात्समासेन लक्षणं सुखदुः खयोः

Transliteration

sarvaṃ paravaśaṃ duḥ khaṃ sarva mātmavaśaṃ sukham / etadvidyātsamāsena lakṣaṇaṃ sukhaduḥ khayoḥ

Translation

பிறரின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருப்பதெல்லாம் துன்பம்; தன் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருப்பதெல்லாம் இன்பம். இதுவே சுருக்கமாக இன்ப-துன்பத்தின் இலக்கணம்.

Word by Word

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन; अर्थः 'all/entire'

• पर: of another
• पर: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier within compound)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (compound member)

• वशम्: control; power
• वशम्: Visheshya (विशेष्य within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासाङ्ग

• परवशम्: dependent on others
• परवशम्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (genitive sense: 'under another's control'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• दुःखम्: suffering
• दुःखम्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आत्म: self
• आत्म: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier within compound)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (compound member)

• वशम्: control
• वशम्: Visheshya (विशेष्य within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासाङ्ग; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• आत्मवशम्: self-controlled; in one's own power
• आत्मवशम्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + वश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (genitive sense: 'under one's own control'); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म/Object of 'vidyāt')
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• विद्यात्: should know
• विद्यात्: Kriya (क्रिया/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; अर्थः 'should know'

• समासेन: in brief; in summary
• समासेन: Karana (करण/Instrumental means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; अर्थः 'briefly/in summary'

• लक्षणम्: definition; characteristic mark
• लक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म/Object complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• सुख: happiness
• सुख: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (compound member)

• दुःख: suffering
• दुःख: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier within compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासपूर्वपद (compound member)

• योः: of the two (which)
• योः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/सप्तमी (Gen./Loc.) द्विवचन (Dual) रूप; अत्र षष्ठी (Genitive)

• सुखदुःखयोः: of happiness and suffering
• सुखदुःखयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + दुःख (प्रातिपदिक) + यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (copulative: 'happiness and suffering'); ततः षष्ठी-द्विवचन (Genitive dual)

Speaker

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

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Paravashatva (being under others’ control) is duhkha; atmavashatva (self-governance) is sukha—this is the concise mark of both.

Vedantic Theme: Indriya-nigraha and manonigraha as inner freedom; true autonomy is mastery of mind rather than external dominance.

Application: Build self-control: regulate speech, habits, and reactions; reduce dependency on approval; cultivate inner locus of control through practice and reflection.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.113.58-60 (nirvriti; attachment as root of sorrow; body as locus of experience)

FAQs

What is the importance of self-control (ātmavaśa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse defines happiness itself as being self-governed; it presents self-control as the core mark (lakṣaṇa) of sukha and dependence as the root of duḥkha.

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

By stressing inner mastery over dependence, it supports the broader Purāṇic ethic that the jīva’s bondage is intensified by helplessness and attachment, while liberation-oriented living begins with self-governance.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Reduce compulsive dependence (on cravings, approval, or harmful company) and cultivate disciplined choices—speech, habits, and duties—so daily life becomes more ‘ātmavaśa’ and therefore more peaceful.