Shloka 4

Moksha and Svarga through Dāna, Tīrtha, Nāma-smaraṇa, and Bhāva

Devanagari script

श्रीविष्णुरुवाच / मानुष्यं भारते वर्षे त्रयोदशसु जातिषु

Transliteration

śrīviṣṇuruvāca / mānuṣyaṃ bhārate varṣe trayodaśasu jātiṣu

Translation

พระศรีวิษณุตรัสว่า: ในแผ่นดินภารตะ การเกิดเป็นมนุษย์กล่าวกันว่าอยู่ในหมวดภพมีร่างกายทั้งสิบสามประเภท.

Word by Word

• śrīviṣṇuḥ: Lord Vishnu
• śrīviṣṇuḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrīviṣṇu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular.

• uvāca: spoke
• uvāca: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Prathama Purusha, Singular.

• mānuṣyam: human birth/state
• mānuṣyam: Karma (Object/कर्म) or Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: mānuṣya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular.

• bhārate: in Bharata
• bhārate: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhārata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular.

• varṣe: land / continent
• varṣe: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular.

• trayodaśasu: in thirteen
• trayodaśasu: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: trayodaśan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural. Numerical.

• jātiṣu: castes / types of birth
• jātiṣu: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural.

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Human birth in Bhārata is classified within embodied categories, implying a structured cosmology and the special opportunity of human life for spiritual striving.

Vedantic Theme: Karmabhūmi doctrine: only in human birth (especially in Bhārata) is deliberate sādhana for mokṣa effectively undertaken.

Application: Treat human life as a rare opportunity; prioritize sādhana, ethical living, and devotion rather than mere enjoyment.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: region/continent

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: repeated praise of Bhārata as karmabhūmi; lists of yoni/jāti; emphasis on human birth as gateway to mokṣa.

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Bharata Varsha

FAQs

What is the importance of human birth in Bhārata according to the Garuda Purana?

This verse frames human birth in Bhārata as a distinct, categorized condition of embodied life, implying it is a structured arena for dharma and karma that shapes post-death outcomes.

How does this verse connect to the soul’s journey after death in the Garuda Purana?

By defining human birth within specific categories (jāti), it sets the groundwork for later teachings on how actions performed in embodied life determine the preta’s experiences and the after-death path.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat human life as a purposeful moral opportunity—practice dharma, restraint, and charity—since one’s embodied category and conduct are presented as consequential for future states.