Shloka 75

Mukti-tattva Upadeśa: Knowledge as the Direct Cause of Liberation

Devanagari script

वाक्यच्छन्दोनिबन्धेन काव्यालङ्कारशोभिताः / चिन्तया दुःखिता मूढास्तिष्ठन्ति व्याकुलेन्द्रियाः

Transliteration

vākyacchandonibandhena kāvyālaṅkāraśobhitāḥ / cintayā duḥkhitā mūḍhāstiṣṭhanti vyākulendriyāḥ

Translation

แม้จะร้อยเรียงด้วยถ้อยคำและฉันทลักษณ์อันงดงาม ประดับด้วยโวหารกวีต่าง ๆ แต่ผู้หลงผิดที่ถูกความกังวลเผาผลาญ ยังคงยืนอยู่ด้วยอินทรีย์อันว้าวุ่นไม่สงบ

Word by Word

• वाक्यच्छन्दोनिबन्धेन: by composition of sentences and metres
• वाक्यच्छन्दोनिबन्धेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य + छन्दस् + निबन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन; समासः—वाक्यच्छन्दसोः निबन्धः तेन (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• काव्यालङ्कारशोभिताः: adorned with poetic figures
• काव्यालङ्कारशोभिताः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काव्य + अलङ्कार + शोभित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन; समासः—काव्यालङ्कारैः शोभिताः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• चिन्तया: by/with worry
• चिन्तया: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन

• दुःखिताः: afflicted/sorrowful
• दुःखिताः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुःखित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निष्ठा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन; भूतकालिक-विशेषण (past participial adjective)

• मूढाः: the deluded (people)
• मूढाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूढ (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-निष्ठा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन

• तिष्ठन्ति: remain
• तिष्ठन्ति: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• व्याकुलेन्द्रियाः: whose senses are agitated
• व्याकुलेन्द्रियाः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्याकुल + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—व्याकुलानि इन्द्रियाणि येषां ते

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mere poetic/technical brilliance without inner clarity leaves one in moha and duḥkha; realization is distinct from verbal ornament.

Vedantic Theme: Śabda-jñāna vs aparokṣa-anubhava; moha as cause of saṃsāra-duḥkha; antarmukhatā (inwardness).

Application: Use study as a means to contemplation and direct practice; observe agitation as a sign of unassimilated knowledge; cultivate steadiness (śama, dama) alongside learning.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.49.76-79 (misreading tattva; egoic teaching; ladle analogy; flower/fragrance analogy)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of poetic speech (kāvya-alaṅkāra) in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse highlights that even beautifully crafted speech and ornamented expression can coexist with inner confusion; external polish does not remove delusion or anxiety.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

It portrays a state of distress and sensory agitation—typical of an unsettled condition—where the being remains mentally tormented, indicating that inner clarity and dharma matter more than outward display.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate steadiness of mind and ethical living rather than relying on mere eloquence; reduce anxiety through disciplined conduct, truthful speech, and practices that calm the senses.