Garuda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 15

Mahāyoga: Detachment from ‘I/Mine’, Aṣṭāṅga Practice, Oṁkāra and Aham-Brahmāsmi Contemplation

Devanagari script

त्रिगुणाभिस्तु मात्राभिरुत्तमः स उदाहृतः / जपध्यानयुतौ गर्भो विपरीतस्त्वर्भकः

Transliteration

triguṇābhistu mātrābhiruttamaḥ sa udāhṛtaḥ / japadhyānayutau garbho viparītastvarbhakaḥ

Translation

Siya’y tinatawag na ‘napakahusay’ kapag ang mga sukat nito ay napapalamutian ng tatlong guṇa sa wastong balanse. Ang sanggol sa sinapupunan na kaugnay ng japa (banal na pagbigkas) at dhyāna (pagmumuni) ay nagiging maayos; kapag kabaligtaran, nagiging ‘arbha-ka’—isang mababa o di-ganap na supling.

Word by Word

• त्रिगुणाभिः: by threefold (counts)
• त्रिगुणाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिगुणा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन; त्रि + गुण (threefold)

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थ

• मात्राभिः: by measures/counts
• मात्राभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), बहुवचन

• उत्तमः: best/superior (type)
• उत्तमः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (प्राणायामस्य भेदः)

• सः: that (one)
• सः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• उदाहृतः: is declared
• उदाहृतः: Kriya (Predicative/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उदाहृत (कृदन्त; √आ-हृ/√हृ (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे विधेय (is stated)

• जप: with recitation
• जप: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), द्विवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे समुच्चय)

• ध्यान: with meditation
• ध्यान: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), द्विवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे)

• युतौ: combined (with them)
• युतौ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युत (कृदन्त; √यु (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), द्विवचन; (जप-ध्यानयोः विशेषणम्—endowed/combined)

• गर्भः: the ‘garbha’ (type)
• गर्भः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (प्राणायामस्य भेद-नाम)

• विपरीतः: the reverse/opposite (type)
• विपरीतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विपरीत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-भाव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (Particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थ

• अर्भकः: the ‘arbha/arbaka’ (type)
• अर्भकः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्भक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (प्राणायामस्य भेद-नाम)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: ‘Excellent’ practice is defined by higher measure/quality; japa and dhyāna are linked with wholesome formation (garbha), while reversal/neglect yields inferior development (arbha-ka).

Vedantic Theme: Mind–prāṇa–saṃskāra interdependence: inner states and disciplined practice condition embodiment and destiny; purity of consciousness shapes outcomes.

Application: Pair breath discipline with mantra and meditation; maintain sattvic conduct during conception/pregnancy and in daily life; avoid reversing discipline into agitation, negligence, or harmful habits.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.226: gradation of prāṇāyāma (uttama) and coupling with japa-dhyāna; garbha/arbha-ka contrast as a cautionary note.

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Triguṇa (Sattva-Rajas-Tamas)

FAQs

What is the importance of triguṇa balance in the Garuda Purana?

This verse links ‘excellence’ to the proper constitution of the three guṇas, implying that harmonious sattva–rajas–tamas supports higher quality of being and development.

How does this verse explain the role of japa and dhyāna?

It states that when a garbha is associated with japa and meditation, it is considered well-formed or auspicious; the reverse condition leads to an inferior or undeveloped outcome.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Cultivate sattva through regular mantra-japa, meditation, and disciplined living, aiming for mental balance and ethical conduct that supports wholesome development.