Shloka 26

Varṇāśrama Dharma, Ethical Virtues, and Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga Culminating in ‘Ahaṃ Brahma’

Devanagari script

गान्धर्वं शूद्रजातीनां परिचारे च वर्तताम् / अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणामृषीणामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्

Transliteration

gāndharvaṃ śūdrajātīnāṃ paricāre ca vartatām / aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇāmṛṣīṇāmūrdhvaretasām

Translation

شُودر برادریوں میں پیدا ہو کر جو خدمت و پرچار میں لگے رہتے ہیں، اُن کے لیے گندھرووں کا مقام مقرر کہا گیا ہے؛ اور یہ بات اٹھاسی ہزار اُردھوریتا—یعنی برہماچریہ میں ثابت قدم رشیوں کے بارے میں بھی مذکور ہے۔

Word by Word

• गान्धर्वम्: Gāndharva (state/realm/condition)
• गान्धर्वम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गान्धर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; nominal predicate/apposition

• शूद्रजातीनाम्: of the Śūdra castes/birth-groups
• शूद्रजातीनाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र-जाति (प्रातिपदिक; शूद्र + जाति)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (जाति), षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; genitive dependent

• परिचारे: in service/attendance
• परिचारे: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; locative

• च: and
• च: None
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• वर्तताम्: let them abide/they remain engaged
• वर्तताम्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमा-पुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; imperative/benedictive sense possible in context

• अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणाम्: of eighty-eight thousand
• अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टाशीति-सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक; अष्टाशीति + सहस्र)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (सहस्र), षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; numeral-genitive qualifier

• ऋषीणाम्: of sages
• ऋषीणाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन

• ऊर्ध्वरेतसाम्: of those with upward semen (celibate/continent)
• ऊर्ध्वरेतसाम्: Sambandha (Genitive/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्ध्व-रेतस् (प्रातिपदिक; ऊर्ध्व + रेतस्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; adjective of ऋषीणाम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Svarga

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Gati (post-mortem station) corresponds to one’s mode of life—service and continence yield specific higher states.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikara and karma-phala: relative attainments within saṃsāra based on guṇa/karma; continence as tapas supporting higher lokas.

Application: Cultivate disciplined service (seva) without harm and practice brahmacarya/tapas to refine destiny and mind.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa discussions of gati/loka allocation by conduct; Garuda Purana sections on varna/ashrama outcomes and tapas

Characters & Entities

• Gandharvas
• Rishis

FAQs

What is the significance of attaining the Gandharva-state in Garuda Purana?

This verse presents the Gandharva-condition as a karmic outcome associated with a life of dutiful service (paricarya), implying a refined but still worldly celestial status earned through conduct.

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

It indicates that post-death destinations are shaped by one’s lived dharma and discipline—service-oriented conduct leads to a particular loka/status, while ascetic continence (ūrdhva-retas) is highlighted as a distinct spiritual attainment.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Perform one’s responsibilities with sincerity and cultivate self-restraint; disciplined living and ethical service are portrayed as merit-producing actions that elevate one’s future condition.