Shloka 39

Śrāddha as Trans-realm Nourishment; Pitṛ-Conveyance; Piṇḍa-born Body and the ātivāhika; Bhakti-based Release

Devanagari script

विमृश्य सुचिरं कालमिदं किमिति सत्वरम् / किञ्चित्क्वचिद्गता साध्वी त्रपायाः कारणेन हि

Transliteration

vimṛśya suciraṃ kālamidaṃ kimiti satvaram / kiñcitkvacidgatā sādhvī trapāyāḥ kāraṇena hi

Translation

చాలాసేపు ఆలోచించి ‘ఇది ఏమిటి?’ అని భావించి, ఆ సాధ్వి వెంటనే సమీపంలోని ఒక చోటికి వెళ్లిపోయింది; నిజంగా అది లజ్జాభావం కారణంగానే.

Word by Word

• विमृश्य: having reflected
• विमृश्य: Purvakala-kriya (Prior action/पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √मृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/ल्यप्) with उपसर्ग वि-; अव्ययभाव

• सुचिरम्: for a long (time)
• सुचिरम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुचिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; कालम् इति विशेषण

• कालम्: time
• कालम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• किम्: what
• किम्: Karma (Interrogative object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Quotative/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक अव्यय

• सत्वरम्: quickly
• सत्वरम्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सत्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• किञ्चित्: a little/somewhat
• किञ्चित्: Kriya-visheshana (Adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: किञ्चित् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययप्रयोग (indefinite adverb/particle)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Desha-adhikarana (Place/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• गता: went
• गता: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गत (कृदन्त; धातु √गम्)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) प्रयुक्तः क्रियार्थे

• साध्वी: the virtuous woman
• साध्वी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साध्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• त्रपायाः: of modesty/shame
• त्रपायाः: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• कारणेन: because of (as the cause)
• कारणेन: Karana (Cause/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कारण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (Emphasis/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), हेत्वर्थ/निश्चयार्थक

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Lajjā (modesty) and self-restraint as protective virtues; thoughtful reflection (vimarśa) before action.

Vedantic Theme: Governance of mind (manonigraha) and the ethics of restraint; choosing non-reactivity after discernment.

Application: Pause to reflect when confused; if needed, step away briefly to regain composure rather than reacting impulsively.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: nearby secluded spot (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: virtues of self-control and modest conduct (general)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of modesty (trapā) in the Garuda Purana’s teachings?

This verse treats modesty as a visible marker of dharmic character—an inner virtue expressed through restrained, careful conduct even in confusing or tense situations.

How does this verse fit into the Garuda–Vishnu dialogue on the preta context?

It reads as a brief narrative moment within Vishnu’s explanation to Garuda, showing a character’s immediate ethical response—reflecting first, then acting appropriately—amid the broader after-death and dharma-centered instruction of the Preta Kanda.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Pause to reflect before reacting, and let dignity and self-restraint guide your choices—especially when circumstances feel unclear or socially sensitive.