Shloka 2

Gradations of Bliss and Knowledge; Lakṣmī’s Special Insight; The Rarity of Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Nīlā’s Vow and Śrīnivāsa Darśana

Devanagari script

मया श्रुतं विरिञ्चेन उमापर्यन्तमेव च / अनन्तांशैर्विहीनत्वं विरिञ्चोक्तं सुराधिप

Transliteration

mayā śrutaṃ viriñcena umāparyantameva ca / anantāṃśairvihīnatvaṃ viriñcoktaṃ surādhipa

Translation

ఓ సురాధిపా! నేను విరిఞ్చుడు (బ్రహ్మ) నుండి—ఉమా వరకు ఉన్నవారినుండి కూడా—విన్నది ఏమనగా, స్వయంగా విరిఞ్చుడే ‘నేను అనంత అంశముల నుండి విహీనుడను’ అని ప్రకటించెను.

Word by Word

• मया: by me
• मया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun); तृतीया/करण (Instrumental, 3rd case), एकवचन (singular)

• श्रुतम्: heard
• श्रुतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (understood) ‘heard’

• विरिञ्चेन: by Viriñca (Brahmā)
• विरिञ्चेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विरिञ्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया/करण (Instrumental), एकवचन

• उमा-पर्यन्तम्: up to Umā
• उमा-पर्यन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उमा (प्रातिपदिक) + पर्यन्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (सीमावाचक: ‘up to Umā’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; (qualifies an implied range/extent)

• एव: indeed/only
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle); अव्यय

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

• अनन्त-अंशैः: by infinite portions
• अनन्त-अंशैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (‘endless parts’); पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया/करण (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• विहीनत्वम्: devoidness/lack
• विहीनत्वम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विहीनत्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक (abstract noun: ‘state of being devoid’)

• विरिञ्च-उक्तम्: stated by Viriñca
• विरिञ्च-उक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विरिञ्च (प्रातिपदिक) + उक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (‘said by Viriñca’); उक्त = वच् (धातु) + क्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; (qualifies विहीनत्वम्)

• सुराधिप: O lord of the gods
• सुराधिप: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अधिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष समास (‘lord of gods’); पुंलिङ्ग; सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu as the supreme Lord

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even Brahmā acknowledges ‘vihīnatva’—inability to encompass the Infinite aspects of the Supreme; finite intellect/office cannot exhaust Ananta.

Vedantic Theme: Neti-neti implication: the Infinite (Ananta/Brahman) transcends all limited knowers; humility before the Absolute.

Application: Cultivate epistemic humility; treat spiritual authority and personal insight as partial; orient practice toward the Infinite through steady devotion and inquiry.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.19.1 (Garuḍa’s summary leading to this point); Garuda Purana 3.18 (ānanda gradation that motivates the question)

Characters & Entities

• Viriñca (Brahmā)
• Umā (Pārvatī)
• Sura-adhipa (Lord of the Devas)

FAQs

What is the importance of 'ananta-aṃśa' (infinite aspects) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the Supreme cannot be fully encompassed by even the highest deities; His attributes and manifestations are infinite, and limited beings remain 'vihīna'—unable to contain that infinitude.

How does this verse explain the hierarchy of knowledge among deities?

Garuda states that he has heard from Brahmā and others up to Umā, yet the conclusion remains that even Brahmā acknowledges limitation before the Supreme—indicating a graded but ultimately finite divine knowledge.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate humility and devotion: even great authorities admit limits, so one should seek the Supreme with reverence, avoid ego in learning, and practice steady remembrance and ethical living.