Shloka 53

An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord

Devanagari script

मिश्रितं भवति ह्यद्धा महत्तत्त्वं तदा स्मृतम् / एतदन्यो विशेषश्च मन्तध्यो विनतासुत

Transliteration

miśritaṃ bhavati hyaddhā mahattattvaṃ tadā smṛtam / etadanyo viśeṣaśca mantadhyo vinatāsuta

Translation

یقیناً جب وہ (تَتْو) باہم مل جاتا ہے تو تب اسے ‘مہتَتْو’ کہا جاتا ہے۔ اور اس کے بارے میں ایک اور خاص امتیاز بھی ہے—اے وِنَتا کے فرزند (گرُڑ)، سنو۔

Word by Word

• miśritam: mixed
• miśritam: Karta-predicative (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: miśrita (कृदन्त; √miśr मिश्र् धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘mixed’

• bhavati: becomes/is
• bhavati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bhū (भू धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; emphasis/indeed

• addhā: certainly
• addhā: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: addhā (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb), अव्यय; ‘certainly/clearly’

• mahat-tattvam: the Mahat principle
• mahat-tattvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahat + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (‘great’ + ‘principle’)

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण, अव्यय; ‘then’

• smṛtam: is said/considered
• smṛtam: Karta-predicative (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: smṛta (कृदन्त; √smṛ स्मृ धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; भूतकृदन्त (क्त) ‘called/remembered’

• etat: this
• etat: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etat (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• anyaḥ: another/different
• anyaḥ: Karta-predicative (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• viśeṣaḥ: distinction
• viśeṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• mantadhyaḥ: O Mantadhya
• mantadhyaḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantadhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; संबोधनार्थे/नामरूपे (proper name/epithet)

• vinatā-suta: O son of Vinatā (Garuḍa)
• vinatā-suta: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vinatā + suta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘son of Vinatā’)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinatā-suta)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Mahat-tattva is defined as a mixed/composite principle arising from guṇa-combination; further viśeṣa (specification) is promised.

Vedantic Theme: Cosmic intellect (mahat/buddhi) as first evolute of prakṛti; discrimination between evolutes and the witnessing self.

Application: Use buddhi (mahat) to observe guṇa-mixture in thoughts; strengthen discernment through study and reflection (śravaṇa-manana).

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.54 (tāmasa portion in Mahat); Garuda Purana 3.4.55 (authority chain: Brahmā → Garuda)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Vishnu
• Mahat-tattva

FAQs

What is the importance of Mahat-tattva in Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights Mahat-tattva as a defined cosmic principle that is recognized when it becomes ‘mixed/combined’—indicating a specific stage in the unfolding of creation.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by clarifying cosmological principles (tattvas) such as Mahat, it frames the metaphysical background used in the Purana to explain subtle-body functioning and post-death states.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use it as a contemplative reminder that the mind/intellect is part of a larger cosmic process; cultivate discernment (buddhi) through dharma and self-discipline rather than identifying it as the ultimate Self.