Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

जितेन्द्रिया जिताहाराः संतः सत्यपरायणाः / यजन्तः परया भक्त्या विष्णुमाद्यं जगद्गुरुम्

Transliteration

jitendriyā jitāhārāḥ saṃtaḥ satyaparāyaṇāḥ / yajantaḥ parayā bhaktyā viṣṇumādyaṃ jagadgurum

Translation

诸圣贤克制诸根，饮食节制，安住于真谛；以至上虔敬礼拜毗湿奴——本初之主、世间之师。

Word by Word

• जित-इन्द्रियाः: sense-controlled
• जित-इन्द्रियाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जितेन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक; जित + इन्द्रिय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; 'having conquered the senses'

• जित-आहाराः: moderate in diet
• जित-आहाराः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जिताहार (प्रातिपदिक; जित + आहार)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; 'having conquered food/diet'

• सन्तः: the virtuous ones
• सन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; nominative plural — 'the good (people)'

• सत्य-परायणाः: devoted to truth
• सत्य-परायणाः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्यपरायण (प्रातिपदिक; सत्य + परायण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; 'devoted to truth'

• यजन्तः: worshipping/sacrificing
• यजन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: यज् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमान कृदन्त (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• परया: with supreme
• परया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; instrumental singular agreeing with भक्त्या

• भक्त्या: devotion
• भक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; instrumental singular

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu
• विष्णुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; accusative singular

• आद्यम्: primeval
• आद्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; adjective qualifying विष्णुम्

• जगत्-गुरुम्: teacher of the world
• जगत्-गुरुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगद्गुरु (प्रातिपदिक; जगत् + गुरु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; accusative singular in apposition to विष्णुम्

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (teaching Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Supreme devotion to Vishnu is supported by ethical discipline: sense-control, moderation, and truthfulness.

Vedantic Theme: Bhakti as a direct means to purification (citta-śuddhi) and God-realization; Ishvara as jagad-guru and ādi-kāraṇa.

Application: Adopt yama-like restraints (truthfulness, self-control), regulate diet, and establish a daily Vishnu worship routine (japa, pūjā, stotra) with sincerity.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Pretakalpa/Upadeśa sections): recurring emphasis on satya, dama, āhāra-śuddhi as supports for bhakti; Garuda Purana: frequent epithet usage—Viṣṇu as ādi, jagad-guru, nārāyaṇa

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the importance of self-control (jitendriya) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse presents mastery of the senses and disciplined living as core traits of the righteous, forming the foundation for pure devotion and dharmic conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

By emphasizing truthfulness, restraint, and devotion to Vishnu, it points to a spiritually elevating way of life that supports auspicious destiny and inner purification.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Practice moderation in food, cultivate truthfulness, and dedicate daily worship or remembrance to Vishnu with sincere devotion.