Shloka 5

Maṅgalācaraṇa, the Sages’ Inquiry, and Hari as Supreme with an Avatāra-Outline

Devanagari script

शौनकाद्या महाभागा नैमिषीयास्तपोधनाः / मुनयो रविसङ्काशाः शान्ता यज्ञ परायणाः

Transliteration

śaunakādyā mahābhāgā naimiṣīyāstapodhanāḥ / munayo ravisaṅkāśāḥ śāntā yajña parāyaṇāḥ

Translation

శౌనకాది మహాభాగులు—నైమిషవాసి తపోధన మునులు—సూర్యసమాన తేజస్సుతో, స్వభావతః శాంతులు, యజ్ఞంలో పరాయణులై ఉన్నారు।

Word by Word

• śaunakādyāḥ: Śaunaka and others
• śaunakādyāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaunaka (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/कर्ता), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (शौनकः आदिः येषाम् = those headed by Śaunaka)

• mahābhāgāḥ: greatly fortunate
• mahābhāgāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् भागः/भाग्यं येषाम् = very fortunate)

• naimiṣīyāḥ: belonging to Naimiṣa (of Naimiṣāraṇya)
• naimiṣīyāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: naimiṣīya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण (मुनयः)

• tapodhanāḥ: those whose wealth is austerity
• tapodhanāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tapas (प्रातिपदिक) + dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि (तपो धनं येषाम् = whose wealth is austerity)

• munayaḥ: sages
• munayaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• ravisaṅkāśāḥ: sun-like/resplendent
• ravisaṅkāśāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ravi (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkāśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उपमान-तत्पुरुष (रविवत् सङ्काशाः = resembling the sun)

• śāntāḥ: peaceful
• śāntāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śānta (कृदन्त; √śam धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषण

• yajña: sacrifice
• yajña: Sambandha (Qualifier base)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूप; उत्तरपद-सम्बन्ध (यज्ञ-परायणाः इत्यत्र)

• parāyaṇāḥ: devoted/intent
• parāyaṇāḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parāyaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषण; अर्थः ‘परं अयनं/आश्रयः’ (devoted/intent upon)

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) describing the assembly of sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Ideal audience for Purāṇic wisdom: tranquil, tapas-rich sages devoted to yajña—outer rite supported by inner discipline.

Vedantic Theme: Karma (yajña) purified by sattva and śama becomes supportive for higher knowledge; saṅga of sādhus as a catalyst.

Application: Balance disciplined practice (study/ritual/service) with inner calm; build communities oriented to shared sacred commitments.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: forest-āśrama/tīrtha

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana frame: Śaunaka-led sages as questioners; repeated emphasis on yajña, tapas, and śānti as qualifications

Characters & Entities

• Śaunaka
• Naimiṣāraṇya
• Munis

FAQs

What is the importance of Naimiṣāraṇya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames Naimiṣa as a sanctified setting where accomplished, peaceful sages devoted to yajña and tapas gather—establishing the authority and sacred context for the Purāṇic teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it highlights the disciplines (tapas, serenity, and yajña) that Purāṇas present as supportive of dharma—foundations that later shape discussions on merit, karma, and post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steadiness (śānti), disciplined practice (tapas), and sincere worship/ritual or service (yajña) as daily supports for ethical living and spiritual clarity.