Shloka 4

Nirūpaṇa (Nāḍī–Svara-Nirūpaṇam): Breath Currents, Omens, and Action-Timing

Devanagari script

यदाचर इलायुक्तस्तदा कर्मसमाचरेत् / स्थानसेवां तथा ध्यानं वाणिज्यं राजदर्शनम्

Transliteration

yadācara ilāyuktastadā karmasamācaret / sthānasevāṃ tathā dhyānaṃ vāṇijyaṃ rājadarśanam

Translation

ఆచర (చర ప్రభావం) ఇలాతో యుక్తమైనప్పుడు తగిన కర్మలు చేయాలి—స్థానసేవ, ధ్యానం, వాణిజ్యం, రాజదర్శనం (అధికారులతో భేటీ)।

Word by Word

• यदा: when
• यदा: Sambandha (Temporal/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (when)

• आचरः: Ācara (name/indicator)
• आचरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; (पाठानुसारं ‘आचर’ इति नाम/ग्रह-विशेषः सम्भाव्यः)

• इलायुक्तः: joined with Ilā
• इलायुक्तः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इला + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक; इलायुक्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; विशेषण (आचरः इति); समासः (इलया युक्तः)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Sambandha (Temporal/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (then)

• कर्म: action/work
• कर्म: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन (समासपूर्वपद)

• समाचरेत्: should undertake/practice
• समाचरेत्: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + आ + चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• स्थानसेवाम्: service at a place/attendance
• स्थानसेवाम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान + सेवा (प्रातिपदिक; स्थानसेवा)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्थानस्य सेवा)

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक

• ध्यानम्: meditation
• ध्यानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• वाणिज्यम्: trade/commerce
• वाणिज्यम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाणिज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• राजदर्शनम्: audience with the king
• राजदर्शनम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् + दर्शन (प्रातिपदिक; राजदर्शन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (राज्ञः दर्शनम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-putra, within the standard Garuḍa Purāṇa dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Act according to the prevailing influence/condition (Ilā-yoga) with a balanced mix of service, contemplation, and worldly duties.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga: right action with orderliness and discernment of time (kāla).

Application: When conditions are supportive, prioritize stable commitments (service/seat), maintain daily meditation, conduct trade ethically, and approach authorities with preparedness and humility.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: social institutions

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Jyotisha: muhūrta and yoga-based prescriptions for activities (section-level); Garuda Purana dharma passages emphasizing proper conduct in livelihood and governance (theme-level)

Characters & Entities

• Ilā

FAQs

What is the importance of Ilā’s influence in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse frames a situational dharma: when influenced/associated with Ilā, one should choose actions suited to that condition—structured service, meditation, commerce, and proper engagement with authority.

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

Indirectly: it emphasizes disciplined, dharmic action and inner practice (dhyāna) as the foundation that shapes karmic outcomes—an underlying theme that later connects to post-death consequences described elsewhere in the Purana.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Balance livelihood and civic responsibilities (work, lawful dealings, engagement with institutions) with regular meditation and service—choosing actions appropriate to one’s circumstances while staying aligned with dharma.