Shloka 20

Strīroga–Prasava Cikitsā, Bāla-Rakṣā, Rasāyana and Vājīkaraṇa Prayogas

Devanagari script

मासैकेन महादेव जरा-मरणवर्जितः

Transliteration

māsaikena mahādeva jarā-maraṇavarjitaḥ

Translation

اے مہادیو! ایک ہی ماہ میں انسان بڑھاپے اور موت سے پاک ہو جاتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• मासैकेन: within/by one month
• मासैकेन: Karaṇa/Adhikaraṇa (Instrumental/Time measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास (प्रातिपदिक) + एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (एकः मासः = one month; तेन = within/by one month)

• महादेव: O Mahādeva
• महादेव: Sambodhana (Vocative/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् देवः)

• जरा: old age
• जरा: Sambandha (in compound)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; समासाङ्ग (dvandva member)

• मरणवर्जितः: free from old age and death
• मरणवर्जितः: Karta (Subject complement/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मरण (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्जित (कृदन्त, क्त; वर्ज् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-तत्पुरुष समासार्थः (जरा-मरणयोः वर्जितः = free from old age and death)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (contextual attribution in the Vishnu–Garuda dialogue; verse addresses Mahādeva as an invoked authority)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Aspiration to overcome jarā and maraṇa; literal rasayana promise also gestures toward the deeper conquest of death through spiritual realization.

Vedantic Theme: Distinguishing bodily mortality from the deathless Self (ātman); ultimate freedom from death is moksha, not merely physical longevity.

Application: Read as encouragement toward disciplined sadhana and health regimen; interpret ‘freedom from death’ primarily as spiritual fearlessness and insight, while treating bodily claims cautiously.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.202 (rejuvenation claims around palāśa/āmalaka preparations)

Characters & Entities

• Mahadeva (Shiva)

FAQs

What is the importance of becoming 'jarā-maraṇa-varjita' in the Garuda Purana?

It points to the highest aim—transcending decay and mortality—often used as a shorthand for liberation or divine protection from the cycle of suffering.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing freedom from old age and death, it gestures toward release from saṁsāra rather than the ordinary post-death journey; the Garuda Purana frames such freedom as the fruit of intense dharma and spiritual discipline.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat the verse as a reminder to prioritize sustained sādhana and ethical living for a defined period (e.g., a month), aiming at inner transformation rather than merely fear of death.