Shloka 67

Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority

Devanagari script

वेदोभ्योस्य त्वर्थतश्चाधिकत्वं वदन्ति बै विष्णुरहस्यवेदिनः

Transliteration

vedobhyosya tvarthataścādhikatvaṃ vadanti bai viṣṇurahasyavedinaḥ

Translation

விஷ்ணுவின் இரகசியத் தத்துவத்தை அறிந்த வைஷ்ணவர்கள், இதன் உண்மையான தாத்பர்யத்தில் இந்த உபதேசம் வேதங்களைவிடவும் மேன்மையானது என அறிவிக்கின்றனர்.

Word by Word

• वेदेभ्यः: from the Vedas
• वेदेभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/अपादान), बहुवचन

• अस्य: of this (text)
• अस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• तु: but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थक

• अर्थतः: in meaning; in substance
• अर्थतः: Hetu/Prakara (हेतु/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अर्थतः (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb), ‘अर्थ’ + तस्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अधिकत्वम्: superiority; greater status
• अधिकत्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधिकत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom/Acc), एकवचन; भाववाचक (abstract noun)

• वदन्ति: they say
• वदन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• विष्णु-रहस्य-वेदिनः: knowers of Vishnu’s secret (doctrine)
• विष्णु-रहस्य-वेदिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + रहस्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), बहुवचन; ‘विष्णोः रहस्यं वेदन्ति’ इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/उपपद-समासार्थ

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Viṣṇu-rahasya (inner purport centered on Viṣṇu) is the highest interpretive key; meaning-centered devotion/knowledge can be ‘greater than Veda’ in salvific efficacy.

Vedantic Theme: Paramārtha over mere śabda: the supreme tattva (Nārāyaṇa/Brahman) as the essence; aligns with Upaniṣadic ‘tattva-jñāna’ and Purāṇic bhakti as direct means.

Application: Read texts through the lens of Viṣṇu-tattva: cultivate nārāyaṇa-smṛti, surrender (śaraṇāgati), and interpret dharma as leading to devotion and liberation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (common): Nārāyaṇa as supreme; nāma-smaraṇa and bhakti praised as highest purifiers.

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Vedas

FAQs

What is the importance of Viṣṇu-rahasya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that those who know Viṣṇu’s esoteric teaching regard its inner purport as surpassing the Vedas, highlighting it as a concentrated guide to dharma and liberation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing 'arthataḥ' (the real meaning), it points the seeker beyond mere ritual form toward the essential spiritual intent that supports right conduct and liberation-oriented understanding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Prioritize the ethical and devotional essence of scripture—truthfulness, compassion, restraint, and remembrance of Viṣṇu—rather than treating rituals as mechanical ends in themselves.