Shloka 23

From Brahman to the Elements: Subtle–Gross Body, Prāṇa, States of Consciousness, and Mahāvākya Realization

Devanagari script

नित्यं शुद्धं बुद्धमुक्तं सत्यं ब्रह्माद्वितीयकम् / तत्त्वंपदान्तौ शिष्टौ च तत्कारो ब्रह्मवाचकः

Transliteration

nityaṃ śuddhaṃ buddhamuktaṃ satyaṃ brahmādvitīyakam / tattvaṃpadāntau śiṣṭau ca tatkāro brahmavācakaḥ

Translation

Brahman là vĩnh hằng, thanh tịnh, bản tính là tri giác và luôn tự do, chân thật và bất nhị. Trong mệnh đề “tat tvam”, hai từ “tat” và “tvam” là hai thuật ngữ chính; và âm “tat” là lời chỉ bày Brahman.

Word by Word

• nityam: eternal
• nityam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषणरूपेण (predicate adjective)

• śuddham: pure
• śuddham: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śuddha (शुध् धातु; कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• buddha-muktam: awakened and liberated
• buddha-muktam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: buddha (बुध् धातु; क्त) + mukta (मुच् धातु; क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (buddha + mukta)

• satyam: true
• satyam: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• brahma-advitīyakam: Brahman, non-dual (without a second)
• brahma-advitīyakam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman + a-dvitīyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (advitīyakaṃ brahma)

• tattvam: the principle/reality
• tattvam: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• pada-antau: the two word-endings
• pada-antau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada + anta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (padasya antaḥ)

• śiṣṭau: accepted/prescribed
• śiṣṭau: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śiṣṭa (शिष् धातु; क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), द्विवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; 'prescribed/accepted by the learned'

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (च)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-निपात

• tat-kāraḥ: the syllable/sound 'tat'
• tat-kāraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad + kāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (tasya kāraḥ)

• brahma-vācakaḥ: denoting Brahman
• brahma-vācakaḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: brahman + vācaka (वच् धातु; ण्वुल्/कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (brahmaṇaḥ vācakaḥ)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vainateya)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Brahman is nitya-śuddha-buddha-mukta-satya-advitīya; in ‘tat tvam’ the terms are principal, and ‘tat’ denotes Brahman (lakṣya indicated through instruction).

Vedantic Theme: Mahāvākya-vicāra; Brahman as sat-cit-mukta; non-duality (advaita) and the indicative power of words toward the Absolute.

Application: Daily contemplation: repeat and inquire into ‘tat’ as Brahman—pure, free, non-dual—then examine ‘tvam’ and dissolve limiting adjuncts (upādhis) through discrimination.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.239.19–22 (preparatory analysis culminating in Brahman teaching)

Characters & Entities

• Brahman

FAQs

What is the importance of Brahman (non-dual Reality) in Garuda Purana?

This verse defines Brahman as eternal, pure, conscious, ever-free, and non-dual—pointing to liberation through right knowledge rather than only external rites.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By presenting Brahman as ‘buddha-mukta’ (conscious and free), it implies that realizing one’s identity with the non-dual Reality is the direct means to transcend bondage and attain moksha.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the teaching as a daily contemplation: remember the Self as pure awareness, reduce identification with fear and guilt, and align actions with truth (satya) and purity (śuddhi).