Shloka 21

An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord

Devanagari script

एवं तव गुणानाञ्च परिमाणं खगेश्वर / उक्तं स्वरूपं तेषां तु तव सम्यक् खगेश्वर

Transliteration

evaṃ tava guṇānāñca parimāṇaṃ khageśvara / uktaṃ svarūpaṃ teṣāṃ tu tava samyak khageśvara

Translation

ข้าแต่คเฆศวร เจ้าแห่งนก ทั้งประมาณแห่งคุณของพระองค์ได้ถูกกล่าวแล้ว; และข้าแต่คเฆศวร สภาวะที่แท้จริงของคุณเหล่านั้นก็ได้พรรณนาโดยชอบว่าเป็นของพระองค์เอง

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb: ‘thus’)

• तव: your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• गुणानाम्: of the qualities
• गुणानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• परिमाणम्: measure; extent
• परिमाणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिमाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-प्राय (खगानाम् ईश्वरः), पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन

• उक्तम्: has been stated
• उक्तम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; passive ‘has been said’

• स्वरूपम्: true nature; essential form
• स्वरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (स्वं रूपम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (contrast/emphasis)

• तव: for you; your
• तव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सम्यक्: properly; correctly
• सम्यक्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘properly, correctly’)

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खग + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-प्राय, पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Guṇas and their ‘measure’ (parimāṇa) are discussed as attributes properly belonging to the addressed Lord; emphasis on correct characterization (svarūpa) of qualities.

Vedantic Theme: Nirguṇa–saguṇa discernment (how qualities are spoken of without limiting the Absolute); epistemic humility before the immeasurable.

Application: Use scriptural descriptions of divine qualities as contemplative supports while remembering their ultimate immeasurability; cultivate precise understanding rather than mere praise.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.22-25 (guṇa-traya analysis continues)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of describing Vishnu’s qualities (guṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that both the extent and the essential nature of the Lord’s attributes are taught, supporting devotion grounded in right understanding rather than vague praise.

How does this verse fit the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue context?

Vishnu addresses Garuda directly, concluding or affirming that the explanation of divine attributes and their true nature has been properly delivered within the ongoing instruction.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study sacred teachings with clarity and reverence—seek both the ‘list of qualities’ and their deeper meaning, so devotion becomes informed, steady, and ethical in daily life.