Shloka 6

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

सर्वेषामाश्रमाणां च द्वैविध्यं तु चतुर्विधम् / ब्रह्मचार्युपकुर्वाणो नैष्ठिको ब्रह्मतत्परः

Transliteration

sarveṣāmāśramāṇāṃ ca dvaividhyaṃ tu caturvidham / brahmacāryupakurvāṇo naiṣṭhiko brahmatatparaḥ

Translation

సర్వ ఆశ్రమాలలో ద్వైవిధ్యము ప్రసిద్ధము; బ్రహ్మచర్యాశ్రమంలో అది చతుర్విధము—ఉపకుర్వాణుడు విద్యాభ్యాసం ముగించి గృహస్థాశ్రమానికి తిరిగివచ్చువాడు, నైష్ఠికుడు బ్రహ్మతత్పరుడై జీవితాంతం బ్రహ్మచర్యంలో నిలిచివుండువాడు।

Word by Word

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; सर्व-शब्दः (of all)

• आश्रमाणाम्: of the āśramas (stages of life)
• आश्रमाणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• द्वैविध्यम्: twofoldness; twofold division
• द्वैविध्यम्: Karma/Pradhana (Object or predicate-noun/कर्म-प्राधान्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वैविध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/प्रथमा or 2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; भाववाचक (state of being twofold)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषार्थक-निपात (particle: but/indeed)

• चतुर्विधम्: fourfold
• चतुर्विधम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्विध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/प्रथमा or 2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; विशेषण (fourfold)

• ब्रह्मचारी: a brahmacārin (student)
• ब्रह्मचारी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• उपकुर्वाणः: one who is an ‘upakurvāṇa’ (temporary student)
• उपकुर्वाणः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उपकृ (धातु) + शतृ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; परस्मैपदी; (one who is in the ‘upakurvāṇa’ mode)

• नैष्ठिकः: a naiṣṭhika (lifelong celibate student)
• नैष्ठिकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैष्ठिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (lifelong/steadfast student)

• ब्रह्मतत्परः: devoted to Brahman
• ब्रह्मतत्परः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्म (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (ब्रह्मणि तत्परः); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahmacarya has differentiated modes; naiṣṭhika brahmacārī is Brahman-oriented, while upakurvāṇa returns to gṛhastha after study.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra-bheda (fitness varies by stage); brahman-paratva as the telos of discipline.

Application: Choose a life-path aligned with capacity: complete formal study with restraint; if not lifelong, transition responsibly to gṛhastha; keep Brahman/Vishnu-centered intent as the inner aim.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Ācāra sections): āśrama-varṇana; brahmacarya-niyama; gṛhastha-dharma summaries nearby in 1.49.8ff.

Characters & Entities

• Brahman
• Brahmacari

FAQs

What is the importance of brahmacarya in the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames brahmacarya as a distinct, formally classified discipline—either preparatory (upakurvāṇa) or lifelong (naiṣṭhika)—highlighting self-restraint and Brahman-orientation as foundational to dharma and liberation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By distinguishing life-stages and especially brahmacarya, the verse implies that disciplined conduct and spiritual focus (brahma-tatparatā) shape one’s karmic trajectory and readiness for higher realization.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Adopt brahmacarya in spirit—moderation, study, and self-control—either as a life phase supporting responsible worldly life (upakurvāṇa) or as a long-term vow oriented to spiritual practice (naiṣṭhika).