Shloka 45

An Exposition of the Distinctions of Creation, Inert Matter, and the Lord

Devanagari script

एवं गुणत्रयाणां च मिश्रितत्त्वात्खगेश्वर / गुणसाम्यमिति प्राहुरेवं जानीहि वै खग

Transliteration

evaṃ guṇatrayāṇāṃ ca miśritattvātkhageśvara / guṇasāmyamiti prāhurevaṃ jānīhi vai khaga

Translation

Vì thế, ôi chúa tể loài chim, do ba guṇa đan xen hòa lẫn, các bậc hiền triết gọi đó là “sự quân bình của các guṇa”. Hãy biết như vậy, hỡi loài chim.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक अव्यय

• गुण-त्रयाणाम्: of the three qualities
• गुण-त्रयाणाम्: Sambandha/Hetu (सम्बन्ध/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + traya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गुणानां त्रयम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन (त्रयाणाम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय

• मिश्रितत्त्वात्: because of the mixed nature
• मिश्रितत्त्वात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: miśrita (कृदन्त; √miśr मिश्र्, क्त) + tattva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय (मिश्रितं तत्त्वम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी एकवचन (ablative: from/because of)

• खगेश्वर: O lord of birds
• खगेश्वर: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaga + īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन

• गुण-साम्यम्: equilibrium of the qualities
• गुण-साम्यम्: Pratijñā/Viṣaya (प्रत्यय/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: guṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + sāmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (गुणानां साम्यम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (here: predicate nominative)

• इति: thus (called)
• इति: Vacana-marker (इति-प्रयोग)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरणसूचक अव्यय

• प्राहुः: they declare/call
• प्राहुः: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √brū (ब्रू धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्ष/परिपूर्ण), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद; irregular perfect form ‘they said/call’

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: रीतिवाचक अव्यय

• जानीहि: know/understand
• जानीहि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: लोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/खल्वर्थक अव्यय (indeed)

• खग: O bird (Garuda)
• खग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: khaga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Because the three guṇas are intermingled, sages describe a state of guṇa-sāmya (equilibrium).

Vedantic Theme: Prakṛti in equilibrium as causal ground; disturbance of sāmya leads to manifestation—knowledge of this supports detachment from guṇa-driven identity.

Application: Cultivate inner ‘sāmya’ by noticing guṇa swings and returning to steadiness: regular sleep, moderated stimulation, ethical routine, and meditation to reduce rajas/tamas dominance.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 3.4.41; Garuda Purana 3.4.44

Characters & Entities

• Garuda
• Triguṇa (Sattva-Rajas-Tamas)

FAQs

What is the importance of guṇa-sāmya (balance of the guṇas) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse highlights that because sattva, rajas, and tamas are naturally intermingled, spiritual discernment involves recognizing their balance (guṇa-sāmya) rather than imagining a purely single-guṇa state in ordinary life.

How does this verse explain the inner constitution of a person?

It teaches that the three guṇas operate in a blended way, so one’s tendencies and actions arise from their mixture; understanding this mixture is key to interpreting mental states and conduct.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Observe which guṇa is dominating (restlessness/rajas, inertia/tamas, clarity/sattva) and cultivate steadiness and clarity through disciplined habits, ethical conduct, and self-study to restore balance.