Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

विष्णुब्रह्मादिरूपाणामैक्यं जानन्ति ये द्विजाः / ते यान्ति नरकं घोरं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्

Transliteration

viṣṇubrahmādirūpāṇāmaikyaṃ jānanti ye dvijāḥ / te yānti narakaṃ ghoraṃ punarāvṛttivarjitam

Translation

เหล่าทวิชะผู้ยืนยันความเป็นอันหนึ่งอันเดียวโดยสิ้นเชิงของรูปพระวิษณุ พระพรหมา และเทพอื่น ๆ ย่อมไปสู่นรกอันน่าสะพรึง ซึ่งไร้การกลับมาอีก

Word by Word

• विष्णु-ब्रह्म-आदि-रूपाणाम्: of the forms of Viṣṇu, Brahmā, etc.
• विष्णु-ब्रह्म-आदि-रूपाणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक) + ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विष्णुब्रह्मादीनां रूपाणि)

• ऐक्यम्: oneness
• ऐक्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• जानन्ति: know
• जानन्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ज्ञा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• द्विजाः: twice-born (Brahmins)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; निर्देशार्थक सर्वनाम (demonstrative)

• यान्ति: go
• यान्ति: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• नरकम्: hell
• नरकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• घोरम्: terrible
• घोरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying नरकम्)

• पुनरावृत्ति-वर्जितम्: devoid of return (no coming back)
• पुनरावृत्ति-वर्जितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुनरावृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्जित (कृदन्त, √वृज्/√वर्ज् धातु; past participle)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पुनरावृत्तेः वर्जितम् = devoid of return)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Naraka

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Doctrinal error regarding deity-identity (asserting absolute sameness of Viṣṇu with Brahmā and others) is treated as a grave transgression with severe afterlife consequence.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra and right view (samyag-dṛṣṭi) as spiritually determinative; here, a sectarian Vaiṣṇava hierarchy is asserted against indiscriminate identity-claims.

Application: Exercise epistemic humility and scriptural discipline in theological claims; avoid careless syncretism when a tradition defines hierarchical distinctions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Geographic Context

Type: otherworldly region

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.6-3.4.8 (correct distinction and mokṣa); Garuda Purana 3.4.10 (Hari as controller of guṇas)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Brahma
• Devas
• Naraka

FAQs

What is the importance of correct understanding of deity forms in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats doctrinal clarity as part of dharma: asserting an improper identity of divine forms is framed as a grave error with karmic consequences.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul after death?

It links a specific wrong view to post-death retribution: such persons are said to fall into a dreadful naraka, described here as a state “without return,” i.e., not easily escaped.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain humility and care in theology and worship—avoid careless claims about divinity, follow one’s sampradāya/scriptural guidance, and practice devotion with ethical conduct.