Shloka 5

Brahman Beyond the Elements and the Three States (Turīya) — Dhyāna Leading to Brahma-realization

Devanagari script

मुक्तसङ्गं महेशानं सर्वदेवप्रपूजितम् / तेजोरूपमसत्त्वं च तपसा परिवर्जितम्

Transliteration

muktasaṅgaṃ maheśānaṃ sarvadevaprapūjitam / tejorūpamasattvaṃ ca tapasā parivarjitam

Translation

พระองค์คือมหีศาน ผู้พ้นจากความยึดติดทั้งปวง เป็นที่บูชาของเทพทั้งหลาย; มีสภาวะเป็นรัศมีอันรุ่งโรจน์ อยู่เหนือคุณทั้งปวง และมิอาจเข้าถึงได้ด้วยตบะเพียงอย่างเดียว.

Word by Word

• मुक्तसङ्गम्: free from attachment
• मुक्तसङ्गम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्त (कृदन्त, √मुच्) + सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः (सङ्गः यस्य सः/सङ्गात् मुक्तः)

• महेशानम्: Maheshana (the Great Lord)
• महेशानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महेशान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सर्वदेवप्रपूजितम्: worshipped by all gods
• सर्वदेवप्रपूजितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रपूजित (कृदन्त, √पूज्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), कर्मणि प्रयोगः—‘प्रपूजित’ = well-worshipped; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सर्वैः देवैः प्रपूजितम्)

• तेजोरूपम्: of the form of radiance
• तेजोरूपम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (तेजः एव रूपम्)

• असत्त्वम्: without material essence (beyond sattva)
• असत्त्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ (उपसर्ग/निषेध) + सत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नञ्-समास/निषेधार्थक-प्रयोगः—‘सत्त्व’ अभावः

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

• तपसा: by austerity
• तपसा: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), एकवचन

• परिवर्जितम्: completely excluded/avoided
• परिवर्जितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि (उपसर्ग) + √वृज् (धातु) → वर्जित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त), कर्मणि—‘completely excluded/avoided’

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra, typical Garuda Purana framing)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Supreme is asaṅga (unattached), self-luminous (tejorūpa), beyond sattva/guṇa-contact, and not attained by tapas alone—implying realization through right knowledge and grace rather than mere effort.

Vedantic Theme: Nirguṇa-brahman / asaṅgatva; self-luminosity (svayaṃ-prakāśatva); limitation of karma/tapas as sole means.

Application: Cultivate dispassion and contemplative inquiry; treat austerity as supportive, not sufficient—pair discipline with śravaṇa-manana-nididhyāsana and devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Brahma-jnana/Atma-nirupana sections): recurring nirguṇa descriptors such as asaṅga, tejorūpa, akartṛ; Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: contrast between ritual merit and liberating knowledge (general thematic parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Maheśāna (Śiva)
• Devas

FAQs

What is the importance of detachment (muktasaṅga) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents detachment as a defining mark of the highest divine principle—implying that freedom from clinging is essential for spiritual realization, not merely external religious effort.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By stating that the Lord is beyond material qualities and not attained by tapas alone, it points the soul toward inner transformation—detachment and right understanding/devotion—rather than relying only on severe austerities.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice restraint and non-attachment in daily life, pair spiritual disciplines (tapas) with humility and devotion, and avoid believing that hardship alone guarantees spiritual progress.