Shloka 20

Jāmbavatī’s Vaiṣṇava-Ācāra: Grace, Sense-Consecration, and Pilgrimage to Śrīnivāsa on Veṅkaṭādri

Devanagari script

यावत्कालं तीर्थयात्रां करिष्ये तावद्दत्ताद्वैष्णवानां च संगम् / हरेः कथाश्रवणं स्यान्मुकुन्द नावैष्णवानां संगिनामङ्गसंगम्

Transliteration

yāvatkālaṃ tīrthayātrāṃ kariṣye tāvaddattādvaiṣṇavānāṃ ca saṃgam / hareḥ kathāśravaṇaṃ syānmukunda nāvaiṣṇavānāṃ saṃgināmaṅgasaṃgam

Translation

నేను ఎంతకాలం తీర్థయాత్రలు చేస్తానో అంతకాలం వైష్ణవుల సత్సంగం కూడా నాకు లభించుగాక. హే ముకుందా, హరి కథాశ్రవణం కలుగుగాక; అవైష్ణవసంగుల తో దేహసంబంధం నాకు కలగకూడదు.

Word by Word

• yāvat-kālam: as long as
• yāvat-kālam: Kāla-adhikarana (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yāvat-kāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; Avyayībhāva sense 'as long as'

• tīrthayātrām: pilgrimage
• tīrthayātrām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tīrtha-yātrā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; compound tīrtha+yātrā

• kariṣye: I shall do
• kariṣye: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Simple Future (लृट्), 1st person, Singular

• tāvat: so long/then
• tāvat: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tāvat (अव्यय)
• Form: Correlative adverb (निपात/क्रियाविशेषण)

• datta-advaiṣṇavānām: of the approved non-Vaiṣṇavas (as given)
• datta-advaiṣṇavānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: datta-advaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural; Karmadhāraya: datta (given/approved) + advaiṣṇava (non-Vaiṣṇava)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय)

• saṃgam: association/company
• saṃgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular

• hareḥ: of Hari
• hareḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Singular

• kathā-śravaṇam: hearing of (His) stories
• kathā-śravaṇam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kathā-śravaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: kathā (story) + śravaṇa (hearing)

• syāt: should be / may be
• syāt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person, Singular

• mukunda: O Mukunda
• mukunda: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukunda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th), Singular

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध)

• avaiṣṇavānām: of non-Vaiṣṇavas
• avaiṣṇavānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avaiṣṇava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural

• saṃginām: of companions/associates
• saṃginām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṃgin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th), Plural

• aṅga-saṃgam: bodily contact
• aṅga-saṃgam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṅga-saṃgama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd), Singular; Tatpuruṣa: aṅga (body/limb) + saṃgama (contact)

Speaker

Garuda (Vinata-putra), addressing Lord Vishnu (Mukunda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Satsanga and Hari-kathā are the inner essence of tīrtha; avoid asaṅga with non-Vaiṣṇava company.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhu-saṅga as a primary upāya for citta-śuddhi leading toward bhakti-niṣṭhā and liberation.

Application: Choose pilgrimage companions carefully; prioritize temple discourse, kīrtana, and scripture listening; reduce exposure to influences that weaken devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Geographic Context

Type: pilgrimage network

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Dharma/Bhakti sections): repeated praise of Viṣṇu-bhakti, nāma-kīrtana, and satsanga as superior to mere external rites; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: emphasis that remembrance of Viṣṇu aids the soul’s passage (general thematic link)

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Mukunda
• Vaiṣṇavas
• Tīrthas

FAQs

What is the importance of satsaṅga (holy company) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats Vaiṣṇava-saṅga as an essential companion to pilgrimage, implying that true spiritual merit is strengthened by the presence and guidance of devotees devoted to Hari.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By prioritizing Hari-kathā and Vaiṣṇava association, it points to bhakti-based purification of mind and conduct—supports traditionally linked with liberation-oriented living, which the Preta Kanda frames as crucial for post-death welfare.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Combine outward practice (pilgrimage/ritual visits) with inner practice (regular listening to Viṣṇu’s teachings) and intentionally avoid intimate, value-shaping company that pulls one away from devotion and dharma.