Shloka 45

Means to Liberation: Supremacy of Hari, Proper Salutations, and Purāṇic Authority

Devanagari script

नानार्थमेवं कथयन्ति विप्र नीचोच्चरूपं ज्ञानमाहुर्महान्तः / तेनैव सिद्धं प्रवदन्ति सर्वं ह्यतः परं भागवतं पुराणम्

Transliteration

nānārthamevaṃ kathayanti vipra nīcoccarūpaṃ jñānamāhurmahāntaḥ / tenaiva siddhaṃ pravadanti sarvaṃ hyataḥ paraṃ bhāgavataṃ purāṇam

Translation

Hỡi Bà-la-môn, các bậc ấy giảng như vậy với nhiều ý chỉ khác nhau. Các đại hiền triết nói rằng tri thức có hình thái thấp và cao. Chính nhờ tri thức ấy mà mọi sự được xác lập và chứng minh; vì thế, vượt lên trên hết thảy là Bhāgavata Purāṇa, giáo huấn tối thượng trong các Purāṇa.

Word by Word

• nānā-artham: with various meanings / in many senses
• nānā-artham: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nānā (अव्यय) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणार्थ: ‘विविधार्थतया’

• evam: thus
• evam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक अव्यय (thus/in this way)

• kathayanti: they narrate
• kathayanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kath (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• vipra: O brāhmaṇa
• vipra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8), एकवचन

• nīca-ucca-rūpam: having low and high forms
• nīca-ucca-rūpam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīca (प्रातिपदिक) + ucca (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व (नीचं च उच्चं च) + ‘रूप’

• jñānam: knowledge/teaching
• jñānam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• āhuḥ: they say
• āhuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (धातु)
• Form: लिट्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• mahāntaḥ: the great ones
• mahāntaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahant (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

• tena: by that/thereby
• tena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय

• siddham: established
• siddham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √sidh (धातु) + kta (कृत्) → siddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त: ‘established/proved’

• pravadanti: they declare
• pravadanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra√vad (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• sarvam: everything
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात

• ataḥ: therefore
• ataḥ: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: तस्मात्-अर्थक अव्यय

• param: beyond/superior
• param: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbial accusative)

• bhāgavatam: Bhāgavata
• bhāgavatam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāgavata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• purāṇam: Purāṇa
• purāṇam: Apposition (समानाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda; addressing a learned listener as 'vipra')

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Jñāna has graded levels (nīca/uccarūpa); by true knowledge all is established; Bhāgavata is presented as surpassing other purāṇic expositions.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāra-bheda and jñāna-niṣṭhā: higher knowledge as that which establishes tattva and culminates in Bhagavat-tattva.

Application: Approach scriptures with discernment: recognize layered meanings, seek higher (uccatara) understanding through qualified teachers, and prioritize texts that stabilize devotion and knowledge.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.1.46-49 (hierarchy of Purāṇas; threefold structure; merit of hearing)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Mahantas (great sages)
• Bhagavata Purana

FAQs

What does this verse mean by lower and higher knowledge (nīca-ucca jñāna)?

It indicates graded teachings: preliminary, worldly or ritual-oriented understanding versus elevated, liberating insight that leads toward realization of the Supreme (Bhagavān).

Why does the verse mention the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as 'beyond this' (ataḥ param)?

The verse presents the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as a culminating purāṇic authority that consolidates and perfects spiritual conclusions through the highest form of knowledge—devotion-centered realization.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study and practice should be prioritized by depth: use rituals and ethics as foundations, but aim for higher knowledge—steady devotion, discernment, and inner transformation—rather than stopping at surface meanings.