Shloka 90

Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority

Devanagari script

भीष्मद्रोणादिनामानि भीमादिष्वेव मुख्यतः / वाचकानि यतो नित्यं तन्नम्यास्ते मुनीश्वराः

Transliteration

bhīṣmadroṇādināmāni bhīmādiṣveva mukhyataḥ / vācakāni yato nityaṃ tannamyāste munīśvarāḥ

Translation

นามอย่างภีษมะและโทรณะ ในความหมายหลักยังใช้เรียกภีมะและผู้อื่นได้ด้วย; เพราะเหตุนั้นเหล่ามุนีผู้เป็นใหญ่จึงควรแก่การนอบน้อมบูชาตลอดกาล.

Word by Word

• भीष्म-द्रोण-आदि-नामानि: names such as Bhīṣma and Droṇa
• भीष्म-द्रोण-आदि-नामानि: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीष्म + द्रोण + आदि + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; बहुपद-समासः—(भीष्म-द्रोण-आदि) + नामानि (आदि-समाहारः)

• भीम-आदिषु: among Bhīma and others
• भीम-आदिषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन; समासः—भीम + आदि; अधिकरणे

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणबोधक अव्यय (only/indeed)

• मुख्यतः: chiefly
• मुख्यतः: Prakara (प्रकार/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (adverb): chiefly/principally

• वाचकानि: denotative/indicating
• वाचकानि: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाचक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicative)

• यतः: because
• यतः: Hetu (हेतु/Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: हेतुवाचक अव्यय (conjunction): because/since

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kala (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषण-प्रयोगः (adverb): always

• तत्: therefore/that
• तत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Anaphoric)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम; ‘तत्’ = therefore/that

• नम्याः: venerable
• नम्याः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-विशेषण

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• मुनीश्वराः: lords among sages
• मुनीश्वराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; समासः—मुनीनां ईश्वराः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Names and appellations can be shared; reverence should be directed with discernment to the truly worthy (parama/uttama).

Vedantic Theme: Nama-rupa-viveka; distinguishing the referent (tattva) behind a name; honoring the highest reality rather than mere verbal labels.

Application: In prayers and salutations, intend the Supreme/most venerable referent; avoid confusion caused by homonymous names; cultivate intentionality (sankalpa) in devotion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: 3.1.91 (exclusive namaskara to the Supreme); Garuda Purana 3.1 context on namaskara/vandana and correct object of reverence

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma
• Drona
• Bhima
• Munis

FAQs

What is the importance of primary meaning (mukhyārtha) in Garuda Purana?

This verse stresses that a name can primarily denote a particular figure yet also function as an appellation for others; understanding the primary sense prevents misreading and preserves the intended reverence and teaching.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in Garuda Purana?

Indirectly: it highlights correct comprehension of sacred language and proper reverence to sages—foundational disciplines that support dharma and right conduct, which Garuda Purana links to post-death outcomes.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When studying or chanting, attend to context and primary meaning, and cultivate respect for authentic teachers and sages—avoiding superficial or mistaken interpretations.