Shloka 9

Nārāyaṇa-Smaraṇa as the Supreme Dharma, Expiation, and Yogic Purifier

Devanagari script

स्वेस्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः कुर्याच्चित्तं जनार्दने / एषा शास्त्रानुसारोक्तिः किमन्यैर्बहुभाषितैः

Transliteration

svesve karmaṇyabhirataḥ kuryāccittaṃ janārdane / eṣā śāstrānusāroktiḥ kimanyairbahubhāṣitaiḥ

Translation

安住于自身应尽之业，当令其心系念阇那尔达那（毗湿奴尊主）。此即依循圣典（śāstra）之教诲；其余繁多言谈又有何益？

Word by Word

• स्वे: in one's own
• स्वे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः (in one's own)

• स्वे: in (each) one's own
• स्वे: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे/नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति-प्रयोगः (each in his own)

• कर्मणि: in (one's) duty/action
• कर्मणि: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन

• अभिरतः: engaged, devoted
• अभिरतः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि-रम् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय) → अभिरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्तः (past participle), विशेषणम्

• कुर्यात्: should do, should place
• कुर्यात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्

• चित्तम्: mind
• चित्तम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• जनार्दने: in Janārdana (Vishnu)
• जनार्दने: Adhikarana (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; विष्णोर्नाम

• एषा: this
• एषा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• शास्त्रानुसारोक्तिः: a statement in accordance with scripture
• शास्त्रानुसारोक्तिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शास्त्र + अनुसार + उक्तिः (प्रातिपदिक); घटकाः: शास्त्र (n.) + अनुसार (m.) + उक्ति (f.)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः/सम्बन्ध-तत्पुरुषः (शास्त्रस्य अनुसारः इति)

• किम्: what (use)
• किम्: Prashna (Interrogative/प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक-प्रयोगः (what use?)

• अन्यैः: by others
• अन्यैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन

• बहुभाषितैः: with much talk, verbose statements
• बहुभाषितैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बहु + भाषित (प्रातिपदिक); भाषित = भाष् (धातु) + क्त
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे/पुंलिङ्गे, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त-प्रयोगः (things spoken); कर्मधारयः (बहु भाषितम्)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (Janardana) instructing Garuda (Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Svadharma performed with mind fixed on Janārdana; śāstra-sāra over verbose disputation.

Vedantic Theme: Karma-yoga culminating in bhakti: inner offering (citta-niyoga) to the Lord while acting in one’s station.

Application: Do daily duties conscientiously, but repeatedly return attention to Viṣṇu (japa/smaraṇa) during work; reduce idle debate and prioritize lived practice.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.230.10-13 (dhyāna, Viṣṇu as supreme object, smaraṇa completing rites)

Characters & Entities

• Janardana (Vishnu)

FAQs

What is the importance of doing one’s own duty in the Garuda Purana?

This verse teaches that righteous engagement in one’s prescribed duties becomes spiritually complete when the mind is anchored in Janārdana; duty and devotion are meant to work together.

How does this verse relate to liberation according to the Garuda Purana?

By combining karma (proper action) with steady remembrance of Viṣṇu, the mind is purified and aligned with śāstric guidance—presented here as the essential path rather than mere verbal religiosity.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Do your responsibilities sincerely (family, work, ritual discipline) while keeping regular inner remembrance of Viṣṇu—through japa, prayer, or mindful offering—avoiding pointless argument and excessive speech.