Shloka 61

Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi

Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu

Devanagari script

कृष्ण उवाच / प्रहर्षेण हरेस्तुल्यान्सर्वदा वहते यतः / अतः प्रवहनामासौ कीर्तितः पक्षिसत्तम

Transliteration

kṛṣṇa uvāca / praharṣeṇa harestulyānsarvadā vahate yataḥ / ataḥ pravahanāmāsau kīrtitaḥ pakṣisattama

Translation

ஸ்ரீகிருஷ்ணன் கூறினார்—மகிழ்ச்சி நிறைந்த உற்சாகத்துடன் எப்போதும் ஹரிக்கு ஒப்பானவர்களைத் தாங்கிச் செல்பவன்; ஆகவே அந்தப் பறவைகளில் சிறந்தவன் ‘ப்ரவஹ’ எனப் புகழப்படுகிறான்।

Word by Word

• कृष्णः: Kṛṣṇa
• कृष्णः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• प्रहर्षेण: with delight/joy
• प्रहर्षेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रहर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• हरेः: of Hari
• हरेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तुल्यान्: equal (to)
• तुल्यान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• वहते: carries/bears
• वहते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• यतः: because
• यतः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतुवाचक अव्यय (causal conjunction: because/since)

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: Hetu-phala-sambandha (हेतु-फल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: तस्मात्-अर्थे अव्यय (therefore/from that)

• प्रवहनाम: the name 'Pravaha'
• प्रवहनाम: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवह (प्र-√वह्) (प्रातिपदिक) + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (प्रवहस्य नाम)

• असौ: he (Garuḍa)
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/असौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• कीर्तितः: is called/celebrated
• कीर्तितः: Kriya (क्रिया-विशेषण/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कीर्त् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि (is called/celebrated)

• पक्षिसत्तम: O best of birds
• पक्षिसत्तम: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पक्षिणां सत्तमः)

Speaker

Lord Krishna (Hari/Vishnu)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Service to Hari and His equals (devotees/divine associates) becomes the basis of sacred fame and identity.

Vedantic Theme: Bhagavat-sambandha (sanctification through relation to Vishnu) and mahima of seva.

Application: Honor and support Vishnu’s devotees and sacred bearers/vehicles; cultivate joyful, steady service as a spiritual identity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.62-65 (Vishnu’s supremacy; oath with serpent)

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Pravaha

FAQs

What is the importance of the name ‘Pravaha’ in the Garuda Purana?

This verse explains that ‘Pravaha’ is an epithet given because he continually carries, with delighted devotion, those regarded as Hari-like—i.e., exalted devotees aligned with Vishnu.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly, it highlights divine support for Vishnu-aligned beings: the righteous and devoted are ‘borne’ or aided onward, emphasizing that devotion and dharmic likeness to Hari attracts protection and upliftment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate Hari-centered virtues—compassion, truthfulness, self-restraint—and honor sincere devotees; the verse frames service and devotion as forces that carry one forward in life and spiritual progress.