Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

योगाभ्यासरतो नित्यमारुरुक्षुर्जितेन्द्रियः / ज्ञानाय वर्तते भुक्षुः प्रोच्यते पारमेष्ठिकः

Transliteration

yogābhyāsarato nityamārurukṣurjitendriyaḥ / jñānāya vartate bhukṣuḥ procyate pārameṣṭhikaḥ

Translation

Người luôn chuyên cần thực hành yoga, khát vọng vươn lên chứng ngộ cao hơn, chế ngự các căn—sống như kẻ khất sĩ vì tri kiến—được gọi là thuộc bậc tối thượng, ‘pārameṣṭhika’.

Word by Word

• योगाभ्यासरतः: engaged in yogic practice
• योगाभ्यासरतः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: योग + अभ्यास + रत (प्रातिपदिक; √रम् (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverb/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्यम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), नित्यत्वार्थक

• आरुरुक्षुः: one desiring to ascend (spiritually)
• आरुरुक्षुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आरुरुक्षु (प्रातिपदिक; √रुह् (धातु) + सन् (desiderative) + उ (उणादि/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इच्छार्थक कृदन्त ('wishing to ascend')

• जितेन्द्रियः: having conquered the senses
• जितेन्द्रियः: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जित + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक; √जि (धातु) + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• ज्ञानाय: for knowledge
• ज्ञानाय: Sampradana (Purpose/Dative/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• वर्तते: conducts himself/abides
• वर्तते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृत् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• भुक्षुः: mendicant
• भुक्षुः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• प्रोच्यते: is called
• प्रोच्यते: Kriya (Verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive), आत्मनेपद

• पारमेष्ठिकः: (one) of the highest order; pārameṣṭhika
• पारमेष्ठिकः: Karta (Predicate nominative/कर्ता-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पारमेष्ठिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Constant yoga-abhyāsa, indriya-jaya, and mendicancy oriented to jñāna define the highest aspirant (pārameṣṭhika).

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana-catuṣṭaya supports jñāna: dama (sense control) and abhyāsa stabilize mind for realization of Brahman/Ātman.

Application: Commit to daily yoga/meditation, reduce sensory overload, live simply, and study/practice inquiry aimed at wisdom rather than status.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: hermitage/inner landscape

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.49.15 (ātmarati, nitya-tṛpti, dama as marks of true bhikṣu/yogin)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of yogābhyāsa (yoga practice) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats steady yogic practice, coupled with sense-mastery, as a defining qualification for the highest spiritual status and for pursuing liberating knowledge.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul toward liberation?

It frames liberation-oriented progress as an inner ascent: controlling the senses, living simply like a mendicant, and orienting one’s life toward jñāna (true knowledge).

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Maintain a consistent spiritual discipline, reduce sense-driven habits, and prioritize learning and contemplation that refine character and clarity.