Shloka 41

Gāruḍa-Māhātmya and Tārkṣya-Stotra: Fruits of Hearing/Reciting and the Power of Garuḍa’s Praise

Devanagari script

ज्ञानार्थो लभते ज्ञानं सर्वसंसारमर्दनम् / इदं स्वस्त्ययनं धन्यं गारुडं गरुडेरितम्

Transliteration

jñānārtho labhate jñānaṃ sarvasaṃsāramardanam / idaṃ svastyayanaṃ dhanyaṃ gāruḍaṃ garuḍeritam

Translation

جو حقیقی معرفت کا طالب ہو وہ ایسی معرفت پاتا ہے جو تمام سنسار کے چکر کو کچل دیتی ہے۔ یہ مبارک و بابرکت ‘گارُڑ’ تعلیم گَرُڑ نے بیان کی ہے۔

Word by Word

• ज्ञानार्थः: one who seeks knowledge
• ज्ञानार्थः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (ज्ञानस्य अर्थः)

• लभते: obtains
• लभते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सर्वसंसारमर्दनम्: that which crushes all worldly existence
• सर्वसंसारमर्दनम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + संसार (प्रातिपदिक) + मर्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सर्वस्य संसारस्य मर्दनम्), विशेषणम् ज्ञानस्य

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nominative/Accusative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• स्वस्त्ययनम्: a benedictory rite/chant (svastyayana)
• स्वस्त्ययनम्: Samjna (Predicate nominative/विशेष्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वस्ति (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + अयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (स्वस्त्यर्थम् अयनम्/स्वस्ति-प्रदं पाठ/मन्त्रः)

• धन्यम्: blessed/auspicious
• धन्यम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् स्वस्त्ययनस्य

• गारुडम्: pertaining to Garuḍa
• गारुडम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गारुड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गरुड-सम्बन्धि)

• गरुडेरितम्: uttered/propounded by Garuḍa
• गरुडेरितम्: Visheshana (Adjectival/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गरुड (प्रातिपदिक) + ईरित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √ईर्/ईरय्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle) ‘ईरित’ = ‘उक्त/प्रेरित’; तत्पुरुषः (गरुडेन ईरितम्)

Speaker

Garuḍa (Vinātā-putra), addressing the teaching as the Gāruḍa

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Jñāna that annihilates saṃsāra is attainable through this auspicious Gāruḍa teaching; revelation/authority is emphasized (Garuḍa as speaker).

Vedantic Theme: Saṃsāra-nivṛtti through tattva-jñāna; śravaṇa/recitation as a means to citta-śuddhi and eventual liberating insight.

Application: Treat the text as a daily ‘svastyayana’: recite with contemplation of impermanence and self-inquiry; align life with detachment and devotion to Viṣṇu.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.240.38-40 (graded fruits); Garuda Purana 1.240.42 (protective phala)

Characters & Entities

• Garuḍa

FAQs

What is the importance of the Gāruḍa (Garuda-teaching) in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents the Gāruḍa as an auspicious, blessed instruction/rite that grants liberating knowledge—knowledge powerful enough to destroy saṃsāra.

How does this verse explain liberation from the cycle of birth and death?

It states that sincere pursuit of jñāna culminates in knowledge that ‘crushes’ saṃsāra, implying moksha through transformative spiritual understanding rather than mere worldly merit.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Approach sacred study and ritual with the intention of inner transformation—seek knowledge that reduces attachment and fear, and supports ethical, disciplined living oriented toward liberation.