Shloka 45

An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord

Devanagari script

एवं गुणत्रयाणां च मिश्रितत्त्वात्खगेश्वर / गुणसाम्यमिति प्राहुरेवं जानीहि वै खग

Transliteration

evaṃ guṇatrayāṇāṃ ca miśritattvātkhageśvara / guṇasāmyamiti prāhurevaṃ jānīhi vai khaga

Translation

హే ఖగేశ్వరా, ఈ విధంగా త్రిగుణాలు పరస్పరం మిశ్రమమగుటవలన ఋషులు దీనిని ‘గుణసామ్యం’—గుణసమత—అని పలుకుదురు. హే ఖగ, ఇదే విధంగా తెలుసుకొనుము।

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक अव्यय

• गुण-त्रयाणाम्: of the three qualities
• गुण-त्रयाणाम्: Sambandha/Hetu (सम्बन्ध/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + traya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गुणानां त्रयम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन (त्रयाणाम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• मिश्रितत्त्वात्: because of the mixed nature
• मिश्रितत्त्वात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: miśrita (कृदन्त; √miśr मिश्र्, क्त) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (मिश्रितं तत्त्वम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी एकवचन (ablative: from/because of)

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaga + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन

• गुण-साम्यम्: equilibrium of the qualities
• गुण-साम्यम्: Pratijñā/Viṣaya (प्रत्यय/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sāmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गुणानां साम्यम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (here: predicate nominative)

• इति: thus (called)
• इति: Vacana-marker (इति-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरणसूचक अव्यय

• प्राहुः: they declare/call
• प्राहुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्ष/परिपूर्ण), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद; irregular perfect form ‘they said/call’

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक अव्यय

• जानीहि: know/understand
• जानीहि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/खल्वर्थक अव्यय (indeed)

• खग: O bird (Garuda)
• खग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Because the three guṇas are intermingled, sages describe a state of guṇa-sāmya (equilibrium).

Vedantic Theme: Prakṛti in equilibrium as causal ground; disturbance of sāmya leads to manifestation—knowledge of this supports detachment from guṇa-driven identity.

Application: Cultivate inner ‘sāmya’ by noticing guṇa swings and returning to steadiness: regular sleep, moderated stimulation, ethical routine, and meditation to reduce rajas/tamas dominance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.41; Garuda Purana 3.4.44

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Triguṇa (Sattva-Rajas-Tamas)

FAQs

What is the importance of guṇa-sāmya (balance of the guṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that because sattva, rajas, and tamas are naturally intermingled, spiritual discernment involves recognizing their balance (guṇa-sāmya) rather than imagining a purely single-guṇa state in ordinary life.

How does this verse explain the inner constitution of a person?

It teaches that the three guṇas operate in a blended way, so one’s tendencies and actions arise from their mixture; understanding this mixture is key to interpreting mental states and conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe which guṇa is dominating (restlessness/rajas, inertia/tamas, clarity/sattva) and cultivate steadiness and clarity through disciplined habits, ethical conduct, and self-study to restore balance.