Shloka 17

Atma-Jnana as the Direct Means to Moksha: Advaita, Maya, and the Three States

Devanagari script

बोधमार्गे यथा चित्तं सर्वेषां च तथा मते / सर्वदा सर्वभूतानां सर्वस्य च महामुने

Transliteration

bodhamārge yathā cittaṃ sarveṣāṃ ca tathā mate / sarvadā sarvabhūtānāṃ sarvasya ca mahāmune

Translation

Bạch Đại Thánh hiền, như tâm của hết thảy hữu tình được hướng trên con đường Giác ngộ (Chân tri), thì sự hiểu biết cũng vậy: mọi lúc, đối với mọi loài, nguyên lý này ứng hợp cho tất cả.

Word by Word

• बोधमार्गे: on the path of knowledge
• बोधमार्गे: Adhikaraṇa (Location/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बोध + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; बोधस्य मार्गः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• यथा: as
• यथा: Sambandha (Correlative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमान/प्रकार-अव्यय (as)

• चित्तम्: mind
• चित्तम्: Karta/Pratijñā (Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Correlative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: तुल्य-प्रकार-अव्यय (so/likewise)

• मते: in the view/opinion
• मते: Adhikaraṇa (Location/Context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन

• सर्वदा: always
• सर्वदा: Kāla (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वदा (अव्यय)
• Form: काल-अव्यय (adverb of time: always)

• सर्वभूतानाम्: of all beings
• सर्वभूतानाम्: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; सर्वाणि भूतानि इति कर्मधारय

• सर्वस्य: of all/of everything
• सर्वस्य: Sambandha (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (and)

• महामुने: O great sage
• महामुने: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; महाः मुनिः इति कर्मधारय

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Bodha-mārga: consistent orientation of mind toward awakening is applicable to all beings at all times; universality of the principle.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya implied (mind-discipline); nitya-anitya viveka and abhyāsa as continuous orientation to truth.

Application: Adopt daily ‘bodha-mārga’ routines: meditation, self-inquiry, mindful speech; periodically re-aim the mind toward the witness during ordinary tasks.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana sections praising jñāna and steady mind as means to liberation

Characters & Entities

• All beings (sarvabhūtāni)

FAQs

What is the importance of the bodha-marga (path of awakening) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse emphasizes that the path of awakening is universally applicable—guiding the mind toward true understanding is presented as a common principle for all beings.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By centering the role of citta (mind/consciousness), it implies that inner orientation toward knowledge and clarity determines one’s spiritual course, a recurring theme in Garuda Purana’s guidance on liberation.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Train the mind toward clarity—through ethical living, self-study, and steady contemplation—so that one’s daily choices align with awakening rather than confusion.