Shloka 83
Multi-form Manifestations, Indra–Kāma Incarnations, Pravāha, and the Twofold Buddhi
Sense-Discipline and Exclusive Refuge in Viṣṇu
भार्याद्वयं ह्यविदित्वा स्वरूपं स्वीकृत्य चैकां प्रविहायैव चैकाम् / स्नानादिकं कुरुते मूढबूद्धिः व्यर्थं चाहुर्मोक्षभोगौ च नैव / एतत्सर्वं यदि मिथ्या भवेत्तु तदा त्वसौ मां दशतु ह्यहीन्द्रः
bhāryādvayaṃ hyaviditvā svarūpaṃ svīkṛtya caikāṃ pravihāyaiva caikām / snānādikaṃ kurute mūḍhabūddhiḥ vyarthaṃ cāhurmokṣabhogau ca naiva / etatsarvaṃ yadi mithyā bhavettu tadā tvasau māṃ daśatu hyahīndraḥ
ผู้มีปัญญาหลงไม่รู้สภาวะของ ‘ภรรยาสอง’ จึงรับเอาหนึ่งและละทิ้งอีกหนึ่ง. ด้วยความเข้าใจผิดนั้นเขาทำการอาบน้ำและพิธีอื่น ๆ; จึงกล่าวว่าไร้ผล—ไม่ให้ทั้งโมกษะและความเสวยสุข. หากทั้งหมดนี้เป็นเท็จ ก็ขอให้พญานาคนั้นกัดข้าพเจ้าเถิด.
Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Choosing wrongly between the ‘two wives’ (two modes of buddhi) makes ritual acts futile and yields neither bhoga nor mokṣa; right discernment is indispensable.
Vedantic Theme: Sattva-rajas/tamas in buddhi; karma performed under delusion cannot culminate in liberation; necessity of śuddha-buddhi for mokṣa-sādhana.
Application: Before undertaking vows/rituals/discipline, examine the motivating buddhi: is it ego, fear, display (dūṣṭa) or clarity and virtue (suṣṭhu)? Adjust accordingly.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.28.84 (Garuḍa asks what ‘two wives’ means); Garuda Purana 3.28.85 (Krishna defines the twofold buddhi)
FAQs
This verse stresses that rituals like bathing become fruitless when performed with deluded understanding; correct grasp of the underlying principle is essential for any promised spiritual result.
It states that merely performing ‘snānādika’ while misunderstanding the core teaching yields neither moksha nor bhoga—implying that inner discernment must accompany outward observance.
Do religious duties with clarity of purpose and ethical alignment, not as empty routine—seek to understand the teaching behind the practice so actions support inner transformation.