Shloka 4

Akhaṇḍa-Dvādaśī Vrata: Mārgaśīrṣa Fast, Viṣṇu-Pūjā, and Four-Month Dāna

Devanagari script

यथाखण्डं जगत्सर्वं त्वमेव पुरुषोत्तम / तथाखिलान्यखण्डानि व्रितानि मम सन्ति वै

Transliteration

yathākhaṇḍaṃ jagatsarvaṃ tvameva puruṣottama / tathākhilānyakhaṇḍāni vritāni mama santi vai

Translation

హే పురుషోత్తమా! సమస్త జగత్తు అఖండంగా నీవే అయినట్లే, నా వ్రతములన్నియు సంపూర్ణముగా, అఖండముగా నిజముగా నిలిచియున్నవి।

Word by Word

• यथा: just as
• यथा: Upamana/Prakara (Adverbial/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: as/just as)

• अखण्डम्: unbroken
• अखण्डम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; जगत् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• जगत्: the world
• जगत्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (1st/कर्ता), एकवचन

• सर्वम्: entire
• सर्वम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; जगत् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Emphasis (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (निपात)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात (emphatic particle: indeed/only)

• पुरुषोत्तम: O best of persons
• पुरुषोत्तम: Sambodhana (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुरुष + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (पुरुषाणाम् उत्तमः)

• तथा: so, likewise
• तथा: Prakara (Adverbial/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (so/likewise)

• अखिलानि: all
• अखिलानि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; व्रतानि इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• अखण्डानि: unbroken
• अखण्डानि: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; व्रतानि इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• व्रतानि: vows
• व्रतानि: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• मम: of me, my
• मम: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम; षष्ठी विभक्ति (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• सन्ति: are
• सन्ति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अस् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present); प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Emphasis (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (निपात)
• Form: निपात (assertive particle)

Speaker

Garuḍa (Vinātā-putra) addressing Lord Viṣṇu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Viṣṇu as the undivided reality pervading the universe; aligning one’s intention with that wholeness supports integrity in vows and aspirations.

Vedantic Theme: Non-fragmentation: the One appearing as many; īśvara as the integral ground of the cosmos; movement from bheda-perception to wholeness-oriented devotion/understanding.

Application: Contemplate the Lord’s all-pervasive unity before undertaking vows or prayers; cultivate ‘akhaṇḍa’ attention (unbroken mindfulness) in practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.118.3 (akhaṇḍa merit by prasāda); Garuda Purana cosmological/theological praises of Viṣṇu in other stuti passages (general internal parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Lord Vishnu (Puruṣottama)
• Garuḍa

FAQs

What is the importance of Puruṣottama being described as ‘undivided’ in the Garuda Purana?

This verse affirms Viṣṇu as the all-encompassing, non-fragmented reality behind the entire cosmos, establishing the theological basis for receiving instruction from Him as the supreme authority.

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

Indirectly, it frames Garuḍa’s forthcoming questions to Viṣṇu—teachings that later guide understanding of dharma, rites, and liberation—by first acknowledging Viṣṇu’s cosmic completeness and omniscience.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach spiritual study and ritual practice with humility and clarity of intent—hold your questions fully, and seek guidance from a trusted, higher source grounded in dharma.