Shloka 82

Mukti-tattva Upadeśa: Knowledge as the Direct Cause of Liberation

Devanagari script

प्रज्ञाहीनस्य पठनं यथान्धस्य च दर्पणम् / अतः प्रज्ञावतां शास्त्रं तत्त्वज्ञानस्य लक्षणम्

Transliteration

prajñāhīnasya paṭhanaṃ yathāndhasya ca darpaṇam / ataḥ prajñāvatāṃ śāstraṃ tattvajñānasya lakṣaṇam

Translation

Với kẻ thiếu trí phân biệt, việc học kinh điển như đưa gương cho người mù. Vì thế, đối với người có trí, kinh điển là dấu hiệu chân thật và phương tiện đưa đến tri kiến về thực tại (tattva).

Word by Word

• प्रज्ञा-हीनस्य: of one devoid of wisdom
• प्रज्ञा-हीनस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक) + हीन (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (प्रज्ञया हीनः) — ‘devoid of wisdom’ (genitive: of a wisdomless person)

• पठनम्: reading, study
• पठनम्: कर्ता (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पठन (प्रातिपदिक; √पठ् (धातु) से भाववाचक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; abstract noun ‘reading/study’

• यथा: just as
• यथा: सम्बन्ध (उपमान-निर्देशक/marker of simile)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा/तुलना-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• अन्धस्य: of a blind man
• अन्धस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध (समुच्चय/coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• दर्पणम्: a mirror
• दर्पणम्: उपमान (उपमान/Standard of comparison)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• अतः: therefore
• अतः: सम्बन्ध (हेतु/causal connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अतः (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतु/निगमन-अव्यय (therefore/for this reason)

• प्रज्ञावताम्: of the wise
• प्रज्ञावताम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रज्ञावत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन; ‘wise persons’

• शास्त्रम्: scripture, treatise
• शास्त्रम्: कर्ता (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• तत्त्व-ज्ञानस्य: of knowledge of reality
• तत्त्व-ज्ञानस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (तत्त्वस्य ज्ञानम्)

• लक्षणम्: a mark, characteristic
• लक्षणम्: विशेष्य-निर्देश (विधेय/Predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; predicate nominative

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (in discourse to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Without prajñā (discernment), śāstra-study is useless; for the discerning, śāstra is a valid indicator and means toward tattva-jñāna.

Vedantic Theme: Adhikāritva: the instrument (śāstra) requires a prepared mind; prajñā/viveka enables śāstra to function as pramāṇa for Brahman/Ātman.

Application: Cultivate discernment through ethical living, reflection, and guidance; study with inquiry and application rather than rote reading.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.49.81; Garuda Purana 2.49.84

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda

FAQs

What is the importance of discernment (prajñā) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that without prajñā, even scripture-reading is ineffective; with prajñā, śāstra becomes a direct indicator and means of tattva-jñāna (true understanding).

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey and after-death teachings in the Garuda Purana?

Preta Kanda instructions are meant to be understood and applied; mere recitation without insight cannot transform conduct, whereas discernment helps one grasp the principles that guide karma and the post-death path.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Study sacred texts with reflection, guidance, and ethical practice—prioritizing understanding and inner transformation over mechanical chanting or reading.