Shloka 4

Mahābhārata-saṅkṣepa and Avatāra-kāraṇa

Brahmā’s Synopsis of the Epic and the Logic of Divine Descents

Devanagari script

भीष्मः सर्वगुणैयुक्तो ब्रह्मवैवर्तपारगः

Transliteration

bhīṣmaḥ sarvaguṇaiyukto brahmavaivartapāragaḥ

Translation

ภีษมะผู้เพียบพร้อมด้วยคุณธรรมทั้งปวง เป็นผู้เชี่ยวชาญอย่างยิ่งในคัมภีร์และธรรมเนียมพรหมไววรรตะ

Word by Word

• भीष्मः: Bhīṣma
• भीष्मः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• सर्वगुणैः: with all virtues
• सर्वगुणैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• युक्तः: endowed/possessed
• युक्तः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युज् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past Passive Participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying)

• ब्रह्मवैवर्तपारगः: versed in the Brahmavaivarta (Purāṇa)
• ब्रह्मवैवर्तपारगः: Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ब्रह्मवैवर्त + पारग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇa-sampatti (virtue) and śāstra-pāragatā (mastery of tradition) as marks of an ideal elder.

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-guṇa predominance supports clarity (viveka) and dharmic steadiness.

Application: Cultivate character alongside study; treat learning as embodied conduct, not mere recitation.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.145 (Mahabharata-vamsha narration context)

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

FAQs

What is the importance of praising Bhishma’s virtues in the Garuda Purana?

This verse uses Bhishma as a benchmark of dharmic excellence—showing that inner virtues and scriptural mastery are central qualifications for understanding and transmitting sacred teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: it highlights dharma (virtue) and right knowledge as the foundations that shape one’s destiny, which the Garuda Purana later connects to post-death outcomes and liberation-oriented understanding.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate character (guṇas) alongside study—ethical conduct plus disciplined learning is presented as the ideal way to become steady in dharma.