Shloka 6

Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana

Devanagari script

धर्मपाता हरिश्चेति सन्तुष्टा ज्ञानिनो नराः / चतुर्वंषर्सहस्राणि नरा जीवन्ति वै तदा

Transliteration

dharmapātā hariśceti santuṣṭā jñānino narāḥ / caturvaṃṣarsahasrāṇi narā jīvanti vai tadā

Translation

Noon, ang mga taong marunong at nasisiyahan—payapa sa buhay at deboto sa Dharma at kay Hari (Viṣṇu)—ay tunay na nabubuhay nang apat na libong taon.

Word by Word

• धर्मपाताः: upholders/protectors of dharma
• धर्मपाताः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + पात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मं पाति/पालयति इति वा ‘धर्मपात’); Nominative plural

• हरिः: Hari
• हरिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (Discourse marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक-अव्यय (quotative particle)

• सन्तुष्टाः: content/satisfied
• सन्तुष्टाः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √तुष् (धातु) + सम् (उपसर्ग) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Past passive participle used adjectivally

• ज्ञानिनः: the wise/knowers
• ज्ञानिनः: Visheshya (Head noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• नराः: men/people
• नराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Nominative plural (apposition to ज्ञानिनः)

• चतुर्वर्षसहस्राणि: four thousand years
• चतुर्वर्षसहस्राणि: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Time extent/काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुर् + वर्ष + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘चतुर्वर्षाणां सहस्राणि’ = four-thousand years); Accusative plural (duration)

• नराः: people
• नराः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Nominative plural

• जीवन्ति: live
• जीवन्ति: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √जीव् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (परस्मैपद), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; Present indicative, 3rd pl

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis/assurance)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (Time/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra in the Garuda Purana dialogue frame)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In that age, people devoted to dharma and Hari are content, wise, and long-lived (four thousand years).

Vedantic Theme: Sattva-dominant life supports clarity (jñāna), contentment (santoṣa), and devotion; harmony with dharma yields well-being.

Application: Cultivate santoṣa, study and reflection, and Hari-bhakti; align lifestyle with dharma to support mental steadiness and healthful longevity (as an ideal).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: yuga descriptions linking dharma strength with human well-being; Garuda Purana: emphasis on Hari-bhakti as purifier and stabilizer of mind

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Jñāninaḥ (the wise)

FAQs

What is the importance of Dharma and Hari-bhakti in this Garuda Purana verse?

The verse links a life grounded in dharma, devotion to Hari, and inner contentment with an extended, stable lifespan—presenting righteousness and devotion as life-sustaining forces.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana themes about karma and life outcomes?

It reflects the Purana’s karmic principle: sattvic conduct—protecting dharma, cultivating wisdom, and devotion—produces favorable results in embodied life, here expressed as longevity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Live by ethical duties, practice steady devotion (prayer/recitation of Vishnu-names), and cultivate contentment and discernment—habits that support a calmer mind and healthier life.