Shloka 55
An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord
एवमेतद्विजानीयान्नान्यथा तु कथञ्चन / गरुड उवाच / चतुर्मुखाच्छ्रुतं पूर्वं भगवन्सात्त्वतां पते
evametadvijānīyānnānyathā tu kathañcana / garuḍa uvāca / caturmukhācchrutaṃ pūrvaṃ bhagavansāttvatāṃ pate
พึงเข้าใจดังนี้เท่านั้น มิอาจเป็นอย่างอื่นโดยประการใด ครุฑกล่าวว่า: “ข้าเคยได้ยินมาก่อนจากผู้มีสี่พักตร์ (พรหมา) โอพระผู้เป็นเจ้า โอผู้ทรงเป็นที่พึ่งแห่งเหล่าสัตตวตะ”
Garuḍa
Concept: Epistemic closure: understand exactly thus; appeal to authoritative transmission from Brahmā; addresses Vishnu as Sāttvatāṃ pati (lord of devotees).
Vedantic Theme: Śāstra-pramāṇa and guru-paramparā as means for right knowledge; devotion supports receptivity to jñāna.
Application: Hold teachings with fidelity; verify understanding through reliable sources and teachers; combine reverence with inquiry.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial abode
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.51-54 (the concluded guṇa/Mahat teaching)
FAQs
It emphasizes doctrinal certainty: the teaching being discussed should be understood exactly as stated, without distortion or alternative interpretation.
Garuḍa cites having heard the matter earlier from Brahmā (the four-faced creator), presenting the instruction as part of an authenticated lineage of sacred transmission.
Approach spiritual and ritual teachings with fidelity to the source—learn from reliable tradition, verify context, and avoid casual reinterpretation of core dharma principles.