Shloka 30
An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord
तमः सकाशाद्गरुड दशभागाधिकेन च / मिश्रितं भवतीत्येवं ज्ञातव्यं नात्र संशयः
tamaḥ sakāśādgaruḍa daśabhāgādhikena ca / miśritaṃ bhavatītyevaṃ jñātavyaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ
โอ้ครุฑ! พึงรู้โดยปราศจากความสงสัยว่า เมื่อยึดตมัสเป็นมาตรฐานแล้วเพิ่มเข้าอีกสิบส่วน ก็ย่อมกลายเป็นสภาพคละเคล้า ดังนี้แล ไม่มีข้อกังขา
Lord Vishnu
Concept: Taking tamas as the base measure, the condition becomes ‘mixed’ by the addition of ten parts; the guṇic state is defined by proportional admixture, not purity.
Vedantic Theme: Relative gradations within prakṛti; certainty in discrimination supports eventual transcendence of guṇas.
Application: Track proportional shifts in one’s day: reduce tamas (excess sleep, avoidance) and rajas (overstimulation) to allow sattva to become more evident.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.26-29 (setup for the concluding ratio statement)
FAQs
This verse treats tamas as a measurable condition that can increase and become “mixed,” indicating graded states of obscuration that affect how beings experience subtle realms after death.
By describing tamas as a base condition that can be intensified into a mixed state, the verse implies that the soul’s post-death experience is shaped by varying degrees of ignorance and inertia (tamas) carried through karmic tendencies.
Reduce tamas through disciplined conduct—truthfulness, cleanliness, sattvic diet, prayer, and charity—so the mind remains clear and less prone to spiritual darkness that leads to confused or painful states.