Shloka 68
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
ब्रवीमि सत्यं पुरुषो विष्णुरेव सत्यं सत्य भुजमुद्धृत्य सत्यम् / एतत्सर्वं यदि मिथ्या भवेत्तु तदा त्वसौ मां दशतु ह्यहीन्द्र
bravīmi satyaṃ puruṣo viṣṇureva satyaṃ satya bhujamuddhṛtya satyam / etatsarvaṃ yadi mithyā bhavettu tadā tvasau māṃ daśatu hyahīndra
เรากล่าวความสัตย์ว่า บุรุษสูงสุดคือพระวิษณุเท่านั้น สัตย์ สัตย์—เรายกแขนผู้ทรงสัตย์ขึ้นกล่าวยืนยัน หากทั้งหมดนี้เป็นเท็จ ก็ขอให้นาคราชนั้นกัดเราเถิด
Lord Vishnu (narrating/affirming to Garuda, Vinata-putra)
Concept: Viṣṇu as the Supreme Person is affirmed as satya; truthfulness is so binding that the speaker stakes life on it.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara-paratva (supremacy of the Lord) and satya as a sacred power; devotion grounded in metaphysical certainty.
Application: Anchor faith in disciplined truthfulness; make vows sparingly and keep them; let devotion be courageous and accountable.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Viṣṇu-paratva proclamations (general)
FAQs
The verse elevates satya as a sacred vow: the speaker stakes his own safety on the truth of the teaching, marking the instruction as spiritually authoritative and reliable.
In the Preta Kanda, precise knowledge about post-death states and rites must be dependable; this oath-like affirmation frames the discourse as true guidance for the soul’s journey and related observances.
Treat truthfulness as a disciplined vow—speak carefully, avoid exaggeration in religious claims, and follow dharmic duties and rites with sincerity rather than superstition.