Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

गुणभूतानि भूतेशे सूत्रे मणिगणा इव / सहस्राक्षं सहस्राङ्घ्रिं सहस्रोरुं वराननम्

Transliteration

guṇabhūtāni bhūteśe sūtre maṇigaṇā iva / sahasrākṣaṃ sahasrāṅghriṃ sahasroruṃ varānanam

Translation

பூதேசனில் எல்லாக் குணங்களும் நூலில் மணிக்கூட்டங்கள் போலத் தொடுத்துள்ளன. அவர் ஆயிரம் கண்கள், ஆயிரம் பாதங்கள், ஆயிரம் தொடைகள் உடையவர்; அழகிய முகத்தவர்।

Word by Word

• गुणभूतानि: having become attributes; subordinate as qualities
• गुणभूतानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुण + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—गुण-भूत (तत्पुरुष: 'having become qualities/secondary')

• भूतेशे: in the Lord of beings
• भूतेशे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूतेश (प्रातिपदिक; भूत + ईश)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन; समासः—भूतानाम् ईशः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• सूत्रे: in/on a thread
• सूत्रे: Adhikarana (Locus/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• मणिगणाः: groups of gems/beads
• मणिगणाः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मणि + गण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन; समासः—मणीनां गणाः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• इव: like/as
• इव: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमावाचक-अव्यय (particle of comparison)

• सहस्राक्षम्: him who has a thousand eyes
• सहस्राक्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र + अक्षि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—'यस्य सहस्रम् अक्षीणि सः'

• सहस्राङ्घ्रिम्: him who has a thousand feet
• सहस्राङ्घ्रिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र + अङ्घ्रि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—'यस्य सहस्रम् अङ्घ्रयः सः'

• सहस्रोरुम्: him who has a thousand thighs
• सहस्रोरुम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सहस्र + ऊरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—'यस्य सहस्रम् ऊरवः सः'

• वराननम्: the one with an excellent face
• वराननम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर + आनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—वरम् आननम् यस्य (or 'excellent-faced')

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gunas and tattvas are coordinated in Ishvara like gems on a thread; the Lord is the inner support (sutra) and the cosmic person (sahasraksha etc.).

Vedantic Theme: Antaryamin-sutra: Brahman as the substratum that holds multiplicity without being fragmented; vishvarupa as pedagogic form.

Application: Contemplate the ‘thread’ principle: see experiences/qualities as held in one consciousness; reduce fragmentation and cultivate steadiness in worship.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: recurring Vishnu-stuti passages describing vishvarupa and Ishvara as adhara

Characters & Entities

• Bhutesha (Lord of beings)
• Vishnu (implied)
• Purusha (implied)

FAQs

What is the importance of the 'beads on a thread' metaphor in the Garuda Purana?

It teaches that all qualities and constituents of the universe depend upon and are held together by the Supreme Lord, just as gems are supported by a single thread.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By presenting the Supreme as the underlying support of all qualities and forms, it implies that liberation and right orientation of the soul come from recognizing the Lord as the inner basis of existence rather than clinging to transient attributes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate detachment from shifting moods and qualities (gunas) and practice devotion and ethical living with remembrance that all beings and experiences rest upon a single divine support.