Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

अणीयसामणीयांसं स्थविष्ठं च स्थवीयसाम् / गरीयसां गरिष्ठं च श्रेष्ठं च श्रेयसामपि

Transliteration

aṇīyasāmaṇīyāṃsaṃ sthaviṣṭhaṃ ca sthavīyasām / garīyasāṃ gariṣṭhaṃ ca śreṣṭhaṃ ca śreyasāmapi

Translation

ఆయన సూక్ష్మములకన్నా అతి సూక్ష్ముడు, మహత్తులలో మహత్తముడు; భారములలో అతి భారుడు, శ్రేయస్సులలో పరమ శ్రేష్ఠుడు।

Word by Word

• अणीयसाम्: of the subtler ones
• अणीयसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अणीयस् (प्रातिपदिक; तुलनात्मक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; तुलनात्मक-प्रत्यय (तर/ईयस) आधार

• अणीयांसम्: the subtlest
• अणीयांसम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अणीयांस् (प्रातिपदिक; अतिशय/तुलनात्मक-उत्तम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; अतिशयार्थक (superlative sense)

• स्थविष्ठम्: the most massive
• स्थविष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थविष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; अतिशय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; अतिशयार्थक (superlative)

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

• स्थवीयसाम्: of the larger ones
• स्थवीयसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्थवीयस् (प्रातिपदिक; तुलनात्मक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; तुलनात्मक

• गरीयसाम्: of the weightier/greater ones
• गरीयसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गरीयस् (प्रातिपदिक; तुलनात्मक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन; तुलनात्मक

• गरिष्ठम्: the greatest/heaviest
• गरिष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गरिष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; अतिशय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; अतिशयार्थक (superlative)

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

• श्रेष्ठम्: the best
• श्रेष्ठम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; अतिशय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; अतिशयार्थक

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

• श्रेयसाम्: of the auspicious/better things
• श्रेयसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेयस् (प्रातिपदिक; तुलनात्मक/भाव)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), बहुवचन

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (particle: also/even)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord transcends all comparative categories—subtler than subtle, greater than great—indicating immeasurability and non-limitation.

Vedantic Theme: Anor aniyan mahato mahiyan: Brahman as both immanent and transcendent; neti-neti via superlatives; acintya-svarupa.

Application: Use the verse as a contemplative refrain to loosen rigid conceptualization; practice humility and surrender before the immeasurable.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: similar ‘mahima’ epithets in Vishnu-stuti and moksha-oriented passages

FAQs

What is the importance of describing the Lord as 'subtler than the subtle' in the Garuda Purana?

It teaches that the Supreme is beyond ordinary perception—finer than the mind and senses—so realization requires inner discernment, not merely external ritual.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By pointing to the Supreme as both beyond the subtlest and greater than the greatest, it frames liberation as turning the soul’s attention away from changing gross/subtle states toward the unconditioned Lord.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate humility and steadiness: remember that worldly “greatness” is limited, and prioritize sāttvic living, self-control, and devotion as supports for inner clarity.