Shloka 23

Kālin̄dī’s Austerity; True Tapas and Prāyaścitta; Kṛṣṇa’s Grace and Marriage

Devanagari script

एतादृशो ह्यनुतापः खगेन्द्र प्रायश्चित्तं न च क्षौरादिकं च / भानोः कन्या ह्यनुतापं च कृत्वा विचारयामास हरेः सुतत्त्वम्

Transliteration

etādṛśo hyanutāpaḥ khagendra prāyaścittaṃ na ca kṣaurādikaṃ ca / bhānoḥ kanyā hyanutāpaṃ ca kṛtvā vicārayāmāsa hareḥ sutattvam

Translation

Hỡi Vua loài chim (Khagendra), chính sự ăn năn thống thiết ấy mới là sám hối chân thật, chứ không chỉ là những nghi thức bên ngoài như cạo tóc và các việc tương tự. Sau khi khởi lòng sám hối như vậy, ái nữ của Thần Mặt Trời đã suy niệm sâu xa về chân thực tánh của Hari (Viṣṇu).

Word by Word

• एतादृशः: such
• एतादृशः: कर्तृविशेषण (Adjectival modifier/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतादृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; qualifying अनुतापः

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• अनुतापः: remorse/repentance
• अनुतापः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• खगेन्द्र: O lord of birds (Garuda)
• खगेन्द्र: सम्बोधन (Address/सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: खगेन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• प्रायश्चित्तम्: expiation
• प्रायश्चित्तम्: कर्तृविशेषण (Predicate noun/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रायश्चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here predicate nominative

• न: not
• न: निषेध (Negation/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• क्षौरादिकम्: shaving and the like
• क्षौरादिकम्: कर्तृविशेषण (Predicate noun/कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षौर + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; आदि-तत्पुरुष (kṣaura-ādi = shaving etc.)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• भानोः: of the Sun
• भानोः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भानु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• कन्या: daughter
• कन्या: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphatic particle)

• अनुतापम्: remorse
• अनुतापम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• कृत्वा: having done/made
• कृत्वा: पूर्वकाल (Prior action/पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + त्वा (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (gerund/absolutive), ‘having done/made’

• विचारयामास: considered/reflected upon
• विचारयामास: क्रिया (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + चर् (धातु) (causative stem विचारय)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Parasmaipada; causative meaning ‘caused to consider/considered’

• हरेः: of Hari
• हरेः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; Genitive singular

• सुतत्त्वम्: the true nature/true principle
• सुतत्त्वम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सु + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (su-tattva = true/auspicious reality)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (addressing Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: True expiation is sincere inner remorse and transformation, not merely external markers (e.g., shaving). Repentance should mature into inquiry into Hari-tattva.

Vedantic Theme: Antaḥkaraṇa-śuddhi as prerequisite for tattva-jñāna and bhakti; primacy of inner disposition over outer ritualism.

Application: When seeking atonement, prioritize honest remorse, restitution, and resolve; then engage in study/meditation on Viṣṇu’s nature rather than relying only on symbolic acts.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa/Dharma sections): emphasis on śuddhi of mind and sincere prāyaścitta over mere external signs (general thematic parallel)

Characters & Entities

• Garuda (Khagendra)
• Hari (Vishnu)
• Bhanu (Surya)
• Bhanu's daughter (Bhānoḥ kanyā)

FAQs

What is the importance of true repentance (anutāpa) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that sincere inner remorse is itself the real prāyaścitta (atonement), surpassing purely external ritual markers like shaving; inner transformation is presented as the core of purification.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in relation to karma and purification?

By prioritizing anutāpa over outward rites, the verse implies karmic cleansing begins in the mind and conscience; genuine repentance redirects one toward dharma and deeper spiritual discernment, which supports a better post-death trajectory.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

When correcting wrongdoing, pair any ritual or social remedy with honest self-reflection, restraint, and commitment to change—treating repentance as the foundation for ethical living and spiritual progress.